Implementation of a screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment programme for risky substance use in South African emergency centres: A mixed methods evaluation study

A qualitative pilot study exploring the acceptability of a peer provider delivered substance use brief intervention from the perspective of youth in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Substance use disorders are prevalent among youth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), yet treatment resources are scarce. Peer provider delivered brief interventions (BIs) represent an affordable and potentially scalable strategy for addressing youth substance use disorders. The goal of this study is to assess the acceptability of a peer provider delivered substance use BI from the perspective of youth in Kenya.

METHODS

We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with youth participants (n = 25) to explore acceptability of a substance use BI. Youth were participants in a two-arm mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the feasibility of a peer provider delivered single-session substance use BI for youth aged 15-24 years with moderate-risk substance use. The semi-structured interviews were conducted three months after the BI was delivered and were guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA). Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis.

RESULTS

We interviewed 25 of 38 participants in the BI arm, 18 males and 7 females; 15 were ages 18-24 years, and 10 ages 15-17 years. Affective attitude: Most youth reported that they enjoyed the session content and enjoyed interacting with the peer provider. Burden: Most youth felt that it was easy to understand the session and participate in it. Perceived effectiveness: Most of the youth perceived the intervention to be effective in helping them reduce substance use and improve their well-being. Ethicality: All youth perceived that the counselling session fit in with their goals and values. Intervention coherence: Most youth understood the overall goal of the intervention. They reported that the goal of the intervention was to help youth stop substance use, and to bring about behavior change. Opportunity costs: Some youth reported that they had to forgo other activities to attend the session, such as work, school, sports, gaming, visiting family, or house chores. Self-efficacy: Most youth felt confident about being able to cut down or stop using substances following the intervention.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Our findings indicate that the peer provider delivered single-session substance use BI was acceptable to youth. The youth recommended that follow-up sessions be provided to ensure sustained behavior change. This study supports the utility of the TFA in exploring acceptability of a substance use intervention from the perspective of young people.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05545904 Registration date 16/09/2022 Registry ClinicalTrials.gov https//clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05545904.

A scoping review of substance use brief interventions in Africa

BACKGROUND

The burden of substance use in Africa is substantial. Brief interventions (BIs) are a recommended public health strategy for the prevention and early intervention for substance use problems. The objective of this scoping review was to map the literature on substance use BIs in Africa, identify gaps, and provide directions for future research.

METHODS

The scoping review was guided by the Arksey O'Malley Framework and the PRISMA-Scoping review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A search of five bibliographic databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Professionals (CINAHL) and Cochrane Library) was conducted from inception until 1st November 2023. BIs were defined as those targeting substance use and delivered over 1-4 sessions, or interventions delivered over more than four sessions if the authors referred to them as 'brief'. Results of the review have been summarized descriptively and organized by three broad outcomes: BI effect and feasibility; feasibility and effectiveness of training providers to deliver BIs; Other outcomes i.e. cost-effectiveness, BI adaptation and development, and knowledge attitude and practice of BIs by providers.

RESULTS

Of the 80 studies that were eligible for inclusion, 68 investigated the effect and feasibility of BIs, six studies investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of training providers to deliver BIs, and six explored other outcomes. Most of the available studies had been conducted in Eastern and Southern Africa. BIs were largely based on motivational interviewing and psychoeducational principles. Overall, the BIs were reported as feasible to implement from the perspective of policy makers, providers, and the intervention recipients. Findings on the effect of BIs on substance use were mixed. Key evidence gaps emerged. There was paucity of BI research focusing on substances other than alcohol, and there was limited literature on feasibility and efficacy of BIs among youth and adolescents.

CONCLUSION

The results of this scoping review provide important directions for future substance use BI research in Africa.

Does Reducing Alcohol Use Among People with HIV Alleviate Psychological Distress and Symptoms of Depression? A Randomized Controlled Trial in Tshwane, South Africa

Although alcohol use is associated with depression, it is unclear if brief alcohol reduction interventions can ameliorate depression and psychological distress among people with HIV (PWH). We use data from a two-arm randomised controlled trial to examine this question. PWH on antiretroviral treatment (ART) were randomly assigned to receive a brief intervention or treatment as usual (n = 622). Screening was done with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), AUDIT-C, Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression inventory and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, at baseline and at 3- and 6-months post-baseline. Changes in depression and psychological distress was assessed using analysis of covariance models with baseline measures of alcohol consumption, sex and age included as covariates and adjusting for baseline symptom severity. Changes in alcohol consumption between baseline and follow-up were included in the analysis to establish if this affected outcomes. For both the intervention and control groups, there were significant reductions in symptom severity at 3-months and 6-months for depression and psychological distress, but no significant between group differences were observed. Reductions in alcohol consumption were significantly associated with reductions in depression and psychological distress, supporting the hypothesis that alcohol use is linked to depression among PWH.Trial Registration Pan African Clinical Trials Register, PACTR201405000815100.nh.

Alcohol use among emergency medicine department patients in Tanzania: A comparative analysis of injury versus non-injury patients

BACKGROUND

Alcohol is a leading behavioral risk factor for death and disability worldwide. Tanzania has few trained personnel and resources for treating unhealthy alcohol use. In Emergency Medicine Departments (EMDs), alcohol is a well-known risk factor for injury patients. At Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi, Tanzania, 30% of EMD injury patients (IP) test positive for alcohol upon arrival to the ED. While the IP population is prime for EMD-based interventions, there is limited data on if non-injury patients (NIP) have similar alcohol use behavior and potentially benefit from screening and intervention as well.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of a systematic random sampling of adult (≥18 years old), KiSwahili speaking, KCMC EMD patients surveyed between October 2021 and May 2022. When medically stable and clinically sober, participants provided informed consent. Information on demographics (sex, age, years of education, type of employment, income, marital status, tribe, and religion), injury status, self-reported alcohol use, and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Identification Test (AUDIT) scores were collected. Descriptive statistics were analyzed in RStudio using frequencies and proportions.

RESULTS

Of the 376 patients enrolled, 59 (15.7%) presented with an injury. The IP and NIP groups did not differ in any demographics except sex, an expected difference as females were intentionally oversampled in the original study design. The mean [SD] AUDIT score (IP: 5.8 [6.6]; NIP: 3.9 [6.1]), drinks per week, and proportion of AUDIT ≥8 was higher for IP (IP:37%; NIP: 21%). However, alcohol preferences, drinking quantity, weekly expenditure on alcohol, perceptions of unhealthy alcohol use, attempts and reasons to quit, and treatment seeking were comparable between IPs and NIPs.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggests 37% of injury and 20% of non-injury patients screen positive for harmful or hazardous drinking in our setting. An EMD-based alcohol treatment and referral process could be beneficial to reduce this growing behavioral risk factor in non-injury as well as injury populations.

Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and risky drinking among undergraduate students in Johannesburg, South Africa: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use and risky drinking are significant public health problem globally. Young people, including university students, are among the most affected populations. We conducted the study to determine the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use and risky drinking among undergraduate students in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study using an anonymous, self-administered online survey in REDCap. The survey questionnaire consisted of socio demographic, and alcohol use questions using the risky drinking identification screening tool (AUDIT-C). We performed descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with alcohol use and risky drinking. The p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The response rate was 15.7%. Most participants were female (69.6%) and majority of the participants were White (38.1%). The prevalence of lifetime use of alcohol was 79.1%, and among the lifetime users; 70.2% reported alcohol use in the last 12-months, 37.1% reported alcohol use in the last 30 days. The prevalence of risky drinking was 54.8% among lifetime drinkers. Factors significantly associated with current alcohol use were siblings alcohol use (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.02-3.15) and parents alcohol use (aOR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.39-4.80), white race (aOR = 5.70, 95% CI: 3.12-10.41), and always or daily exposure to alcohol marketing in the media (aOR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.07-10.24). Factors associated with risky drinking were: Indian/Asian race (aOR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.09-7.31), White race (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.14-4.04), and exposure to alcohol marketing in the media as follows, most of the time (aOR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.29-9.04) and Always/daily exposure (aOR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.07-10.24).

CONCLUSION

The reported alcohol use and risky drinking were common amongst undergraduate students at Wits university. There is an urgent need to design, pilot and adapt targeted interventions for this population group.

Prevalence and correlates of depression and substance use disorders in emergency department populations: A cross-sectional study at East Africa's largest public hospital

Introduction

There are persistent gaps in screening, identification, and access to care for common mental disorders in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. An initial step towards reducing this gap is identifying the prevalence, co-morbidities, and context of these disorders in different clinical settings and exploring opportunities for intervention. This study evaluates the prevalence and correlates of depression and substance use disorders among adults presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) of a major national hospital in East Africa.

Methods

This study utilized the World Health Organization's STEPwise Approach to Surveillance (WHO-STEPS) tool and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to conduct a cross-sectional survey capturing socio-demographic data, tobacco, and alcohol use and rates of depression in a sample of adults presenting to the ED. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for each outcome of interest and socio-demographics.

Results

Of 734 respondents, 298 (40.6%) had a PHQ-9 score in the "moderate" to "severe" range indicative of major depressive disorder. About 17% of respondents endorsed current tobacco use while about 30% reported being daily alcohol users. Those with high PHQ-9 score had higher odds of reporting current tobacco use ("severe range" = adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.85, 95% CI 1.05, 3.26). Those with a "severe" PHQ-9 scores were 9 times (aOR 2.3-35.3) more likely to be daily drinkers.

Conclusions

Screening and identification of people with depression and substance use disorders in the ED of a large national hospital in Kenya is feasible. This offers an opportunity for brief intervention and referral to further treatment.

Overview

BACKGROUND

South Africa (SA) faces multiple health challenges. Quantifying the contribution of modifiable risk factors can be used to identify and prioritise areas of concern for population health and opportunities for health promotion and disease prevention interventions.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the attributable burden of 18 modifiable risk factors for 2000, 2006 and 2012.

METHODS

Comparative risk assessment (CRA), a standardised and systematic approach, was used to estimate the attributable burden of 18 risk factors. Risk exposure estimates were sourced from local data, and meta-regressions were used to model the parameters, depending on the availability of data. Risk-outcome pairs meeting the criteria for convincing or probable evidence were assessed using relative risks against a theoretical minimum risk exposure level to calculate either a potential impact fraction or population attributable fraction (PAF). Relative risks were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) study as well as published cohort and intervention studies. Attributable burden was calculated for each risk factor for 2000, 2006 and 2012 by applying the PAF to estimates of deaths and years of life lost from the Second South African National Burden of Disease Study (SANBD2). Uncertainty analyses were performed using Monte Carlo simulation, and age-standardised rates were calculated using the World Health Organization standard population.

RESULTS

Unsafe sex was the leading risk factor across all years, accounting for one in four DALYs (26.6%) of the estimated 20.6 million DALYs in 2012. The top five leading risk factors for males and females remained the same between 2000 and 2012. For males, the leading risks were (in order of descending rank): unsafe sex; alcohol consumption; interpersonal violence; tobacco smoking; and high systolic blood pressure; while for females the leading risks were unsafe sex; interpersonal violence; high systolic blood pressure; high body mass index; and high fasting plasma glucose. Since 2000, the attributable age-standardised death rates decreased for most risk factors. The largest decrease was for household air pollution (-41.8%). However, there was a notable increase in the age-standardised death rate for high fasting plasma glucose (44.1%), followed by ambient air pollution (7%).

CONCLUSION

This study reflects the continued dominance of unsafe sex and interpersonal violence during the study period, as well as the combined effects of poverty and underdevelopment with the emergence of cardiometabolic-related risk factors and ambient air pollution as key modifiable risk factors in SA. Despite reductions in the attributable burden of many risk factors, the study reveals significant scope for health promotion and disease prevention initiatives and provides an important tool for policy makers to influence policy and programme interventions in the country.

Estimating the changing burden of disease attributable to alcohol use in South Africa for 2000, 2006 and 2012

Background. Alcohol use was one of the leading contributors to South Africa (SA)’s disease burden in 2000, accounting for 7% of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the first South African Comparative Risk Assessment Study (SACRA1). Since then, patterns of alcohol use have changed, as has the epidemiological evidence pertaining to the role of alcohol as a risk factor for infectious diseases, most notably HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB).Objectives. To estimate the burden of disease attributable to alcohol use by sex and age group in SA in 2000, 2006 and 2012.Methods. The analysis follows the World Health Organization (WHO)’s comparative risk assessment methodology. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated from modelled exposure estimated from a systematic assessment and synthesis of 17 nationally representative surveys and relative risks based on the global review by the International Model of Alcohol Harms and Policies. PAFs were applied to the burden of disease estimates from the revised second South African National Burden of Disease Study (SANBD2) to calculate the alcohol-attributable burden for deaths and DALYs for 2000, 2006 and 2012. We quantified the uncertainty by observing the posterior distribution of the estimated prevalence of drinkers and mean use among adult drinkers (≥15 years old) in a Bayesian model. We assumed no uncertainty in the outcome measures.Results. The alcohol-attributable disease burden decreased from 2000 to 2012 after peaking in 2006, owing to shifts in the disease burden, particularly infectious disease and injuries, and changes in drinking patterns. In 2012, alcohol-attributable harm accounted for an estimated 7.1% (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 6.6 - 7.6) of all deaths and 5.6% (95% UI 5.3 - 6.0) of all DALYs. Attributable deaths were split three ways fairly evenly across major disease categories: infectious diseases (36.4%), non-communicable diseases (32.4%) and injuries (31.2%). Top rankings for alcohol-attributable DALYs for specific causes were TB (22.6%), HIV/AIDS (16.0%), road traffic injuries (15.9%), interpersonal violence (12.8%), cardiovascular disease (11.1%), cancer and cirrhosis (both 4%). Alcohol remains an important contributor to the overall disease burden, ranking fifth in terms of deaths and DALYs.Conclusion. Although reducing overall alcohol use will decrease the burden of disease at a societal level, alcohol harm reduction strategies in SA should prioritise evidence-based interventions to change drinking patterns. Frequent heavy episodic (i.e. binge) drinking accounts for the unusually large share of injuries and infectious diseases in the alcohol-attributable burden of disease profile. Interventions should focus on the distal causes of heavy drinking by focusing on strategies recommended by the WHO’s SAFER initiative.

Gender and Context Matter: Behavioral and Structural Interventions for People Who Use Alcohol and Other Drugs in Africa

Heavy alcohol consumption and other drug use are prominent across Africa and increase the risk of exposure to violence, HIV acquisition, and other life-threatening injuries. This review synthesizes evidence on alcohol and other drug (AOD) interventions in Africa; evaluates the differences between interventions that do and do not specifically target populations that use AODs; and highlights the impact of comprehensive vs. brief interventions and those that address syndemic issues from a gender and contextualized lens. Literature searches were conducted to identify research outcomes of randomized interventions published between January 2010 and May 2022 that address AOD use in Africa. Thirty-five full-text articles were included in this review. Most of the identified research studies were concentrated in a few countries. Most studies were conducted in South Africa. Many of the studies comprised brief interventions. However, the most comprehensive interventions were the most effective for AOD outcomes. Several studies indicated the importance of addressing AOD use alongside gender-based violence, mental health needs, gender roles, and other social determinants that affect health outcomes. Intervening on AOD use and addressing social determinants from a gender and contextually relevant perspective is essential to ensuring the long-term health and well-being of people in Africa.

A descriptive survey of substance use treatment facilities in Uasin Gishu County Kenya

Background

Substance use disorders are a major problem in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The objective of this study was to describe the existing resources within substance use treatment facilities in the County, with the aim of guiding policy and interventions.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. We collected data from six substance use treatment facilities within Uasin Gishu County between August and November 2021. We used a researcher-designed questionnaire to collect information on: availability of in-patient and out-patient services; facility ownership (private-for-profit vs government-run); bed capacity; mode of payment for services; cost of services; availability of medicines for substance use treatment; and staffing characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.

Results

One facility was run by the National government and the rest were private-for-profit. Uasin Gishu County government had no substance use treatment facility of its own. The total number of beds available within the six facilities was 174 against a population of 1.1 million. All six facilities had stocked at least one medication for substance use disorder treatment. None of the facilities had buprenorphine, buprenorphine naloxone, or methadone. Out-of pocket was the most common mode of payment for services with patients paying using this mode in all the six facilities. Only one facility was accredited by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). All facilities had at least one certified addiction counselor and at least one psychologist. Half of the facilities did not have a nurse and two did not have a doctor. The qualification held by most staff was addiction counseling with 41.3% of them having achieved this qualification.

Conclusion

The facilities were well staffed with psychologists and addiction counselors. Gaps were found as regards bed capacity, use of pharmacotherapy, insurance coverage and availability of nursing staff and doctors. We recommend that the County government in collaboration with key stakeholders invests in substance use treatment in order to address the high burden of substance use disorders in Uasin Gishu County.

Integration of Alcohol Use Disorder Interventions in General Health Care Settings in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review

Introduction

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is among the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, AUD is often not detected in health care settings, which contributes to a wide treatment gap. Integrating services for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders in general health care settings is among the recommended strategies to narrow this treatment gap. This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence on integration of AUD interventions in general health care settings in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

We searched four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Africa Wide Information) for publications up to December 2020. The search strategy focused on terms for alcohol use, alcohol interventions, and sub-Saharan African countries. Studies that reported AUD interventions in general health care settings in sub-Saharan Africa were eligible for inclusion. Over 3,817 potentially eligible articles were identified. After the removal of duplicates and screening of abstracts, 56 articles were included for full article review. Of these, 24 papers reporting on 22 studies were eligible and included in a narrative review.

Results

Of the 24 eligible articles, 19 (80%) described AUD interventions that were being delivered in general health care settings, 3 (12%) described plans or programs for integrating AUD interventions at different levels of care, including in health facilities, and 2 (8%) studies reported on AUD interventions integrated into general health care settings.

Conclusions

This review shows that there is limited evidence on the integration of AUD interventions in health care settings in sub-Saharan Africa. There is an urgent need for studies that report systematically on the development, adaptation, implementation, and evaluation of integrated AUD interventions in health care settings in sub-Saharan Africa.

Substance use referral, treatment utilization, and patient costs associated with problematic substance use in people living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa

Introduction

Despite efforts to detect and treat problematic substance use (SU) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in South Africa, integration of HIV and SU services is limited. We sought to understand whether PLWH and problematic SU were: (a) routinely referred to SU treatment, a co-located Matrix clinic, (b) used SU treatment services when referred, and (c) the individual amount spent on SU.

Methods

Guided by the RE-AIM implementation science framework, we examined patient-level quantitative screening and baseline data from a pilot clinical trial for medication adherence and problematic SU. Qualitative data came from semi-structured interviews with HIV care providers (N = 8), supplemented by patient interviews (N = 15).

Results

None of the screened patient participants (N = 121) who were seeking HIV care and had problematic SU were engaged in SU treatment, despite the freely available co-located SU treatment program. Only 1.5% of the enrolled patient study sample (N = 66) reported lifetime referral to SU treatment. On average, patients with untreated SU spent 33.3% (SD=34.5%) of their monthly household income on substances. HIV care providers reported a lack of clarity about the SU referral process and a lack of direct communication with patients about patients' needs or interest in receiving an SU referral.

Discussion

SU treatment referrals and uptake were rare among PLWH reporting problematic SU, despite the high proportion of individual resources allocated to substances and the co-located Matrix site. A standardized referral policy between the HIV and Matrix sites may improve communication and uptake of SU referrals.

Notes From the Field: Applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research in a Qualitative Evaluation of Implementation of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Brief Intervention Training Program

This paper describes the applicability of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to the qualitative evaluation of the implementation of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Brief Intervention Training Program, the B.strong Program. Interviews were conducted with 20 B.strong Program trainees and four health service managers from eight purposively sampled Indigenous primary health care services in Queensland to collect their perceptions of the B.strong Program implementation. The 26 constructs of the CFIR were used to guide data collection and analysis. Additional constructs were developed for two program implementation aspects, "quality improvement" and "cultural suitability." Findings are presented from the application of the CFIR to the evaluation of the implementation of a brief intervention training program in the Australian Indigenous context. While demonstrating the applicability of the CFIR in this evaluation, this study also highlights that it may require modification, to ensure identification of the different contextual factors that influence program implementation.

Drug and alcohol use in Tanzanian road traffic collision drivers

INTRODUCTION

Road traffic collisions (RTCs) are an important public health problem in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), where 90% of RTC deaths occur. The World Health Organization has suggested strategies to address excess mortality from RTCs including efforts to combat driving after using alcohol or drugs. Data on the impact of drug and alcohol use on RTCs is limited in many low-resource settings including Tanzania. We sought to examine the prevalence of drug and alcohol use in Tanzanian RTC drivers.

METHODS

This prospective, observational study was conducted in the emergency centre (EC) of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We enrolled adult drivers presenting within 24 h of an RTC. We collected a saliva test of blood alcohol content (BAC) and a urine drug screen (UDS) and administered a validated substance use disorder screening tool, the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Patients were excluded from individual analyses if they could not produce saliva or urine or answer questions. Primary outcomes were rates of positive BAC, UDS and self-reported risky alcohol and drug use patterns.

RESULTS

We screened 5264 trauma patients and enrolled 418, in whom 190 had a BAC, 364 had a UDS, and 410 had a complete ASSIST. 15 of 190 patients (7.9%) had a positive BAC, and 67/361 (18.7%) had a positive UDS for at least one drug. ASSIST scores showed 75/410 (18.3%) patients were at moderate or high risk for alcohol use disorder. Few were at risk for disordered use of other non-tobacco substances.

DISCUSSION

In our population of RTC drivers, positive BAC and UDS tests were rare but many patients were at risk for an alcohol use disorder. Ideal screening for substance use in Tanzanian trauma populations may involve a combination of objective testing and a verbal screening tool.

Patient outcomes and experience of a task-shared screening and brief intervention service for problem substance use in South African emergency centres: a mixed methods study

Background

Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) programmes have resulted in generally positive outcomes in healthcare settings, particularly for problem alcohol use, yet implementation is hampered by barriers such as concerns regarding the burden on healthcare professionals. In low-resourced settings, task-sharing approaches can reduce this burden by using non-professional healthcare workers, yet data are scarce regarding the outcomes and acceptability to patients within a SBIRT service. This study aims to evaluate patient-reported outcomes, patient acceptability, perceived benefits and recommendations for improving a task-shared SBIRT service in South African emergency centres (ECs).

Methods

This mixed methods study incorporates quantitative substance use screening and patient satisfaction data collected routinely within the service at three hospitals, and qualitative semi-structured interviews with 18 EC patient beneficiaries of the programme exploring acceptability and perceived benefits of the programme, as well as recommendations to improve the service. Approximately three months after the acute EC visit, a sub-sample of patients were followed up telephonically to assess patient-reported satisfaction and substance use outcomes.

Results

Of the 4847 patients eligible for the brief intervention, 3707 patients (76%) used alcohol as their primary substance and 794 (16%) used cannabis. At follow-up (n = 273), significant reductions in substance use frequency and severity were noted and over 95% of patients were satisfied with the service. In the semi-structured interviews, participants identified the non-judgemental caring approach of the counsellors, and the screening and psychoeducation components of the intervention as being the most valuable, motivating them to decrease substance use and make other positive lifestyle changes. Study participants made recommendations to include group sessions, market the programme in communities and extend the programme’s reach to include a broader age group and a variety of settings.

Conclusions

This task-shared SBIRT service was found to be acceptable to patients, who reported several benefits of a single SBIRT contact session delivered during an acute EC visit. These findings add to the SBIRT literature by highlighting the role of non-professional healthcare workers in delivering a low-intensity SBIRT service feasible to implement in low-resourced settings.

Advancing a cascading train-the-trainer model of frontline HIV service providers in South Africa: protocol of an implementation trial

BACKGROUND

South Africa is marked by high rates of both HIV and alcohol use, and there is a detrimental synergistic relationship between these two epidemics. The Institute of Medicine recommends integrated care for alcohol use treatment and HIV, but implementation of integrated services remains a challenge in South Africa. This protocol describes a study designed to evaluate trainer, provider-, and patient encounter-level outcomes relating to the national rollout of a cascade train-the-trainer model of task-sharing to build capacity of the HIV workforce to deliver Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) to address risky alcohol use.

METHODS

This 5 year protocol consists of two phases. First, we will finalize development of a robust SBIRT train-the-trainer model, which will include an SBIRT Trainer Manual, Provider Resource Guide, fidelity observational coding system, case vignettes, and a curriculum for ongoing consultation sessions. Materials will be designed to build the capacity of novice trainers to train lay workers to deliver SBIRT with fidelity. Second, we will recruit 24-36 trainers and 900 providers in order to evaluate the effects of the SBIRT train-the-trainer model on trainer- (e.g., fidelity, knowledge), provider- (e.g., SBIRT attitudes, confidence, acceptability), and patient encounter- (e.g., proportion receiving screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment) level variables. Data on patient encounters will be tracked by providers on programmed tablets or scannable paper forms in real-time. Providers will report on SBIRT delivery on an ongoing basis over a 6-months period. Additionally, we will test the hypothesis that trainer-level factors will account for a substantial proportion of variability in provider-level factors which will, in turn, account for a substantial proportion of variability in patient encounter-level outcomes.

DISCUSSION

This protocol will allow us to take advantage of a unique national training initiative to gather comprehensive data on multi-level factors associated with the implementation of SBIRT in HIV service settings. In the long-term, this research can help to advance the implementation of integrated alcohol-HIV services, providing lessons that can extend to other low-and-middle income countries confronting dual epidemics.

"Moving Forward with Life": Acceptability of a Brief Alcohol Reduction Intervention for People Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in South Africa

Background: In South Africa, interventions are needed to address the impact of hazardous drinking on antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV (PLWH). Participant feedback about these interventions can identify ways to enhance their acceptability. We interviewed participants in a randomized controlled trial of a brief motivational interviewing and problem-solving therapy (MI-PST) intervention about their perceptions of this alcohol-reduction intervention. Methods: The trial was conducted in HIV treatment clinics operating from six hospitals in the Tshwane region of South Africa. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with a random selection of participants. Twenty-four participants were interviewed after the final intervention session and 25 at the six-month follow up. Results: Participants believed that it was acceptable to offer PLWH, an alcohol reduction intervention during HIV treatment. They described how the MI-PST intervention had helped them reduce their alcohol consumption. Intervention components providing information on the health benefits of reduced consumption and building problem-solving and coping skills were perceived as most beneficial. Despite these perceived benefits, participants suggested minor modifications to the dosage, content, and delivery of the intervention for greater acceptability and impact. Conclusions: Findings highlight the acceptability and usefulness of this MI-PST intervention for facilitating reductions in alcohol consumption among PLWH.

Young South African Women on Antiretroviral Therapy Perceptions of a Psychological Counselling Program to Reduce Heavy Drinking and Depression

Young women in South Africa remain most at risk for HIV infection. Several factors contribute to the high incidence rate in this population, including hazardous drinking and depression. Addressing common mental disorders (CMDs) such as depression and alcohol use disorders is key to effective HIV treatment. We explored the experiences and perceptions of young South African women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) of a lay health worker (LHW)-delivered psychosocial intervention based on motivational interviewing (MI) and problem-solving therapy (PST) to reduce heavy drinking and depression. We conducted 27 in-depth interviews with young women (aged 18-35) recruited from 16 primary care clinics in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Discussion topics included young women's life experiences leading to their enrollment in the program, their perceptions of the counselling sessions and the quality of their interaction with the counsellor. Qualitative data were analyzed using a framework approach. The findings highlighted the impact adverse life experiences and stressful life circumstances have on young women's use of alcohol and symptoms of depression and the effect this has on ART adherence. The findings suggest that women found the intervention components that helped them develop strategies for coping with their past experiences, managing current life stressors, and regulating negative thoughts and emotions most beneficial. Taken together, these findings confirm the acceptability of LHW-delivered MI-PST counselling for this population, but suggest that the relevance of the MI-PST intervention for this highly vulnerable population could be further enhanced by including a focus on psychological trauma.