This project aims to develop and pilot test an intervention using couple-based motivational interviewing (MI) and mobile breathalyzers to reduce heavy alcohol use with couples living with HIV in South Africa.
This project aims to develop and test an alcohol intervention using couple-based motivational interviewing (MI) and mobile breathalyzers to build dyadic support around drinking in HIV-affected couples in South Africa. Specifically, the study aims to: 1) To develop a couple-based MI intervention with mobile breathalyzer technology to deliver real-time feedback on BAC levels. We will target heavy alcohol users with HIV and enroll their primary partner; 2) to develop and pilot test the study procedures for a future randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the couple-based intervention; and 3) to determine the feasibility and acceptability (F\&A) of couple-based MI as a standalone intervention and when combined with mobile breathalyzers to provide real-time feedback and support to couples. We will also conduct qualitative interviews with a subset of 15 couples to contextualize F\&A data and refine our procedures. Our goal is to demonstrate a proof-of-concept for the proposed intervention, which if shown to be feasible and acceptable, may provide a scalable intervention to reduce heavy alcohol consumption and improve HIV treatment outcomes for couples in South Africa.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
186
Counseling
Counseling plus mobile breathalyzer/ app
Human Sciences Research Council
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Enrollment Rate
Number of eligible individuals who enroll in the study
Time frame: Baseline (Time 0)
Retention Rate
Number of enrolled individuals who completed the final follow-up survey (6-months post baseline)
Time frame: 6 months
Satisfaction With Intervention
number of participants who report being "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the intervention at the two-month follow-up
Time frame: 2 months
Mid-point Survey Completion
number of participants who complete the two-month survey
Time frame: 2 months
Final Survey Completion
number of couples who complete the six-month survey
Time frame: 6 months
Number of Participants Who Attended All Intervention Sessions
Number of participants who attend all three intervention sessions
Time frame: 2 months
70% Breathalyzer Completion
number of participants in the MI Plus - Heavy Drinker arm who complete 70% of breathalyzer tests
Time frame: 2 months
Exploratory: ART Adherence
Percentage of pills taken by HIV-infected participants in the past 30 days, using the bean count method (self-report) adapted from VAS
Time frame: 6 months
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Exploratory: Alcohol Use- Number of Drinking Days
Number of drinking days in the past 30 days (self-report)
Time frame: 6 months
Exploratory: Alcohol Use- Score on AUDIT at 2 Months
Mean score on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test- AUDIT prior 3 months. The AUDIT is a 10-item scale that assesses drinking behavior with a range of 0-40 (higher scores indicate higher alcohol use). A score of 8 or more may indicate hazardous or harmful drinking in both men and women.
Time frame: 2 months
Exploratory: HIV Viral Load
Number of HIV-infected index patients who are virally suppressed by local lab normal ranges, as measured by dried blood spots (DBS)
Time frame: 2 months
Exploratory: Alcohol Use- Score on AUDIT at 6 Months
Mean score on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test- AUDIT prior 3 months. The AUDIT is a 10-item scale that assesses drinking behavior with a range of 0-40 (higher scores indicate higher alcohol use). A score of 8 or more may indicate hazardous or harmful drinking in both men and women.
Time frame: 6 months