A qualitative study on the adaptation of community programmes for the promotion of early detection and health-seeking of perinatal depression in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high burden of perinatal depression in Nepal, the detection rate is low. Community-based strategies such as sensitization programmes and the Community Informant Detection Tool (CIDT) have been found to be effective in raising awareness and thus promoting the identification of mental health problems. This study aims to adapt these community strategies for perinatal depression in the Nepalese context. METHODS: We followed a four-step process to adapt the existing community sensitization program manual and CIDT. Step 1 included in-depth interviews with women identified with perinatal depression (n=36), and focus group discussions were conducted with health workers trained in community mental health (n=13), female community health volunteers (FCHVs), cadre of Nepal government for the prevention and promotion of community maternal and child health (n=16), and psychosocial counsellors (n=5). We explored idioms and understanding of depression, perceived causes, and possible intervention. Step 2 included draft preparation based on the qualitative study. Step 3 included a one-day workshop with the psychosocial counsellors (n=2) and health workers (n=12) to assess the understandability and comprehensiveness of the draft and to refine the content. A review of the CIDT and community sensitization program manual by a psychiatrist was performed in Step 4. RESULTS: The first step led to the content development for the CIDT and community sensitization manual. Multiple stakeholders and experts reviewed and refined the content from the second to fourth steps. Idioms of depression and commonly cited risk factors were incorporated in the CIDT. Additionally, myths of perinatal depression and the importance of the role of family were added to the community sensitization manual. CONCLUSION: Both the CIDT and community sensitization manual are grounded in the local context and are simple, clear, and easy to understand.

Comparing dedicated and designated approaches to integrating task-shared psychological interventions into chronic disease care in South Africa: a three-arm, cluster randomised, multicentre, open-label trial.

BACKGROUND: Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly providing task-shared psychological interventions for depression and alcohol use in primary health care in low-income and middle-income countries. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of CHWs dedicated to deliver care with CHWs designated to deliver care over and above their existing responsibilities and with treatment as usual for patients with a chronic physical disease. METHODS: We did a three-arm, cluster randomised, multicentre, open-label trial done in 24 primary health-care clinics (clusters) within the Western Cape province of South Africa. Clinics were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to implement dedicated care, designated care, or treatment as usual, stratified by urban-rural status. Patients with HIV or type 1 or type 2 diabetes were eligible if they were 18 years old or older, taking antiretroviral therapy for HIV or medication to manage their diabetes, had an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of eight or more or a Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score of 16 or more, and were not receiving mental health treatment. In the intervention arms, all participants were offered three sessions of an evidence-based psychological intervention, based on motivational interviewing and problem-solving therapy, delivered by CHWs. Our primary outcomes were depression symptom severity and alcohol use severity, which we assessed separately for the intention-to-treat populations of people with HIV and people with diabetes cohorts and in a pooled cohort, at 12 months after enrolment. The Benjamini-Hochberg procedure was used to adjust for multiple testing. The trial was prospectively registered with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, PACTR201610001825403. FINDINGS: Between May 1, 2017, and March 31, 2019, 1340 participants were recruited: 457 (34·1%) assigned to the dedicated group, 438 (32·7%) assigned to the designated group, and 445 (33·2%) assigned to the treatment as usual group. 1174 (87·6%) participants completed the 12 month assessment. Compared with treatment as usual, the dedicated group (people with HIV adjusted mean difference -5·02 [95% CI -7·51 to -2·54], p<0·0001; people with diabetes -4·20 [-6·68 to -1·72], p<0·0001) and designated group (people with HIV -6·38 [-8·89 to -3·88], p<0·0001; people with diabetes -4·80 [-7·21 to -2·39], p<0·0001) showed greater improvement on depression scores at 12 months. By contrast, reductions in AUDIT scores were similar across study groups, with no intervention effects noted. INTERPRETATION: The dedicated and designated approaches to delivering CHW-led psychological interventions were equally effective for reducing depression, but enhancements are required to support alcohol reduction. This trial extends evidence for CHW-delivered psychological interventions, offering insights into how different delivery approaches affect patient outcomes. FUNDING: British Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, UK Department for International Development, the Economic and Social Research Council, and the Global Challenges Research Fund.

Alcohol Advertising, Affordability and Availability, and the Effect on Adult Heavy Drinking and Symptoms of Alcohol Problems: International Alcohol Control Study (South Africa).

Background: Alcohol harm is a major contributor to the burden of disease in South Africa. This study aimed to identify the extent of heavy drinking and symptoms of alcohol problems among adult drinkers and associated demographic and other risk factors in the Tshwane Metropole of South Africa. Methods: A household survey was conducted using multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling. Heavy drinking was defined as consuming at least 120 mL for men and at least 90 mL for women of absolute alcohol on one occasion at least monthly while symptoms of alcohol problems were measured using the Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen 4 (RAPS4). Stata 14.0 was used for the analysis. Results: Just over half (52%) of the sample reported heavy drinking, and half (50%) reported symptoms of alcohol problems. Gender race/ethnicity, marital status, mode of transport used to purchase alcohol, perceptions of alcohol availability and exposure to alcohol promotions and advertising through SMS and free offers when buying alcohol all impacted heavy drinking. Gender, age, personal income and exposure to alcohol promotions and advertising in magazines and newspapers all impacted symptoms of alcohol problems. Conclusion: The study raises important questions about various policy related mechanisms to curtail heavy drinking and highlights the need for more extensive research to assess the nature and extent of heavy drinking and alcohol problems in South Africa.

Predictors of Alcohol Use during Pregnancy among Women Attending Midwife Obstetric Units in the Cape Metropole, South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the nature and extent of substance use among pregnant women in Cape Town (South Africa) despite the very high levels of substance use and related consequences such as FASD in this part of the country. The aim of the study was to determine predictors of alcohol use among pregnant women. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pregnant women attending 11 Midwife Obstetric Units (MOUs) in greater Cape Town. A two-stage cluster survey design was used. In total, 5231 pregnant women were screened to assess self-reported prevalence estimates. Of these, 684 (13.1%) were intentionally sub-sampled and completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and provided a urine sample for biological screening. Univariate and multivariate statistical procedures were used to determine factors predictive of alcohol use. RESULTS: Findings highlight various demographic, social and partner substance use predictors for both self-reported and biologically verified alcohol use in two different models. Being Coloured, having a marital status other than being married, experiencing violence or aggression in the past 12 months compared to more than 12 months ago, having a partner who drinks, and partner drug use are all independently associated with higher odds of self-reported alcohol use. In contrast, only partner tobacco use is independently associated with higher odds of biologically verified alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Knowing the risk factors for alcohol use in pregnancy is important so that intervention efforts can accurately target those women in need of services. Intervention programs addressing risk factors of high-risk pregnant women are needed.

Feasibility and Preliminary Responses to a Screening and Brief Intervention Program for Maternal Mental Disorders Within the Context of Primary Care.

There is little evidence of the feasibility and acceptability of integrating screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment services that address depression and alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use into antenatal care in South Africa. Data were extracted from program records on the number of eligible women screened and number meeting criteria for depression and self-reported ATOD use. 70 women completed a questionnaire examining their preliminary responses and five MOU personnel were interviewed to identify potential barriers to implementation. Of the 3407 eligible women, 1468 (43 %) women were screened for depression or ATOD use, of whom 302 (21.4 %) screened at risk for depression, 388 (26.4 %) disclosed smoking tobacco, and 29 (2 %) disclosed alcohol or other drugs (AOD). Seventy participants completed the three month follow-up interview. Depression scores decreased significantly following the intervention (t (69) = 8.51, p < 0.001) as did self-reported tobacco use (t (73) = 3.45, p < 0.001), however self-reported AOD use remained unchanged.

Sexual HIV risk among substance-using female commercial sex workers in Durban, South Africa.

This study examined data collected from a sample of female sex workers (FSWs) during the first two years of a brief risk-reduction intervention for vulnerable populations that focused on substance use and HIV risk-related behaviours (2007-2009) as part of a rapid assessment and response evaluation study. In 2007, in collaboration with a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), an initiative was begun to roll out targeted harm reduction strategies for drug-using street based FSWs in Durban, South Africa. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, substance use and HIV risk behaviours to tailor these harm reduction strategies with participants. Over the first two years of the intervention, data were collected from 646 FSWs: 428 who reported being at low risk for HIV and 218 who reported being at high risk for HIV (defined as engaging in unprotected sex with sexual partners in the past 90 days). FSWs who had previously been diagnosed with HIV or a sexually transmitted disease (STD) were significantly less likely to report engaging in unprotected sex. Those who used over-the-counter or prescription (OTC/PRE) drugs reported engaging in unprotected sex significantly more often than FSWs who did not use these substances, while those who used heroin were less likely to report unprotected sex. The findings are encouraging in that those who are aware of their HIV status are less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour, and therefore HIV testing and counselling is recommended. It indicates the need to identify strategies to encourage the likelihood of all FSWs, particularly those who are HIV-positive, to use condoms. It also encourages further research to investigate specific substances as possible predictors of high risk behaviours in high-risk populations of sex workers.

The relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of HIV in married men in Sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVE: A key factor for incidence of HIV is alcohol consumption. It impacts judgment and the probability to overlook risk-relevant information, which creates a pathway to reduced adherence to biomedical prevention and engagement in condomless sex. We strengthen the understanding of the link between alcohol consumption and risk of HIV among married men in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), as we use comprehensive population-level data to provide robust evidence with high external validity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data analysis. METHODS: Based on data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) from 20 countries and over 30 000 observations, a minimally and a fully adjusted model with country fixed effects examined the relationship between the men's alcohol consumption (observed by wife) and HIV status (blood test) while accounting for survey weights and controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: The data comprised a total of 35 108 men. Minimally adjusted [risk ratio (RR) 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-1.37; P  < 0.001] and fully adjusted (RR 1.26; 95% CI 1.15-1.38; P  < 0.001) models showed a positive association between the men's alcohol consumption and HIV status. Two sensitivity analyses confirmed the association. CONCLUSION: In line with previous experimental studies and theoretical framework, this study confirms a risk relationship between alcohol consumption and HIV. Thus, modern HIV/AIDS programs must continue to address the relationship in implementation of prevention and treatment programs.

Identifying and Validating Alcohol Diagnostics for Injury-Related Trauma in South Africa: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: The burden of alcohol use among patients with trauma and the relative injury risks is not routinely measured in South Africa. Given the prominent burden of alcohol on hospital trauma departments, South Africa needs practical, cost-effective, and accurate alcohol diagnostic tools for testing, surveillance, and clinical management of patients with trauma. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to validate alcohol diagnostics for injury-related trauma and assess its use for improving national health practice and policy. METHODS: The Alcohol Diagnostic Validation for Injury-Related Trauma study will use mixed methods across 3 work packages. Five web-based focus group discussions will be conducted with 6 to 8 key stakeholders, each across 4 areas of expertise (clinical, academic, policy, and operational) to determine the type of alcohol information that will be useful for different stakeholders in the injury prevention and health care sectors. We will then conduct a small pilot study followed by a validation study of alcohol diagnostic tools (clinical assessment, breath analysis, and fingerprick blood) against enzyme immunoassay blood concentration analysis in a tertiary hospital trauma setting with 1000 patients. Finally, selected alcohol diagnostic tools will be tested in a district hospital setting with a further 1000 patients alongside community-based participatory research on the use of the selected tools. RESULTS: Pilot data are being collected, and the protocol will be modified based on the results. CONCLUSIONS: Through this project, we hope to identify and validate the most appropriate methods of diagnosing alcohol-related injury and violence in a clinical setting. The findings from this study are likely to be highly relevant and could influence our primary beneficiaries-policy makers and senior health clinicians-to adopt new practices and policies around alcohol testing in injured patients. The findings will be disseminated to relevant national and provincial government departments, policy experts, and clinicians. Additionally, we will engage in media advocacy and with our stakeholders, including community representatives, work through several nonprofit partners to reach civil society organizations and share findings. In addition, we will publish findings in scientific journals. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/52949.

Perceptions of perinatal alcohol use and treatment needs in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative study.

Background: South Africa has one of the world's highest rates of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Recent evidence also showed that alcohol use during lactation significantly compromises child development in children exposed to alcohol through breastfeeding, independent of prenatal alcohol exposure. This study explored perceptions of perinatal alcohol use and treatment needs in Cape Town, South Africa, to inform the development of an intervention to encourage alcohol abstinence during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Methods: Individual in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with women who were pregnant with a recent history of alcohol use (n=32) and clinic and community stakeholders (n=16). Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Coding and thematic analyses were conducted in NVivo 12. Results: Results indicate widespread perception that women know the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant with much less known about drinking while breastfeeding. Mixed views were shared about whether women who are pregnant or breastfeeding experience alcohol-related stigma. Participants described contextual factors impacting drinking that include interpersonal violence, lack of support, stress, anxiety and poverty, and drinking being normalised. Finally, participants had mixed views and conflicting knowledge of available resources to support alcohol reduction and highlighted a desire for support groups and the involvement of partners in alcohol interventions. Conclusions: Findings from this study highlight the need for an alcohol intervention programme that is innovative and tailored to the needs of women who are pregnant or postpartum. It also highlights the importance of including community-based support and partner involvement in these interventions.

An incentive-based text-messaging intervention to reduce maternal alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in South Africa (MaRISA study): Findings from a single-arm pilot study.

BACKGROUND: South Africa has the highest rate of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) globally. As with alcohol use during pregnancy, alcohol consumption while breastfeeding adversely impacts infant development. We pilot tested an incentive-based text-messaging intervention to reduce alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in South Africa. METHODS: A single-arm pilot trial was conducted over 3 months in healthcare facilities in Cape Town, South Africa. Pregnant and breastfeeding participants tested positive for recent alcohol use by urinalysis. The three-month intervention had two components, contingency management of alcohol abstinence confirmed by urinalysis twice weekly and weekly health-related text messaging from an evidence-based brief intervention. We collected twice weekly urine samples for measurement of ethyl glucuronide (EtG), an alcohol biomarker, and measures of self-reported alcohol and drug use, violence exposure, and mental health at six weeks and three months post-enrollment. RESULTS: Sixty participants were enrolled, of whom 31 were pregnant and 29 lactating. The number of days with four or more drinks in the past month decreased from 9 days at baseline, on average, to 1-3 days (p-value range: 0.144-0.010) at follow-up timepoints. There were statistically significant increases in the proportions of participants with alcohol-negative urine tests (p < 0.001). The percentages of participants breastfeeding while using alcohol decreased from baseline to the end of 3 months in the overall sample and among those enrolled postpartum, though these were not significant (p-value range: 0.255-0.147). Maternal depression scores also decreased among participants enrolled postpartum (p = 0.054). Emotional abuse by the main partner, but neither physical nor sexual abuse, significantly decreased at both follow-ups in the overall sample (p = 0.032) and among participants enrolled while pregnant (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: This study is among the first to pilot test an incentive-based text-messaging intervention for maternal alcohol use and other outcomes such as depression and violence exposure. Further testing is warranted in a well-powered, randomized controlled trial.

Intersecting epidemics among pregnant women: alcohol use, interpersonal violence, and HIV infection in South Africa.

A critical factor for understanding negative health outcomes is acknowledging the synergistic quality that clusters of health problems create. An important step in addressing clusters of health problems involves gaining an awareness of the contextual factors that connect them. This paper considers the intersection of 3 mutually reinforcing health problems: alcohol use, interpersonal violence (IPV), and HIV infection among pregnant women residing in South Africa. We explore how SAVA (substance abuse, violence and AIDS) - a syndemics related theory - underscores the dire need to intervene in various areas of psycho-social health and general well-being. Based on World Health Organization data, we highlight the remarkably high rates of alcohol use, IPV, and HIV infection among South African women compared with women residing in other countries around the world. We conclude by highlighting the need for improved recognition of the intersection of these epidemics and for improved surveillance of the prevalence of alcohol use among pregnant women. Finally, based on the literature reviewed, we provide recommendations for future interventions.

Community-based counselling programme for pregnant women with alcohol problems in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative study of the views of pregnant women and healthcare professionals.

Introduction: South Africa lacks services to detect and address alcohol use during pregnancy, particularly outside of health-care facilities. This study aimed to explore pregnant women and healthcare providers' perceptions of the acceptability, feasibility and appeal of a community-based counselling programme for pregnant women with alcohol problems. Methods: Twenty-eight in-depth interviews with pregnant women who drink, Community Health Workers (CHWs) and antenatal service providers were conducted. Transcribed interviews were analyzed thematically using a combined deductive and inductive approach. Results: Women reported feeling uncomfortable seeking help for their alcohol use at antenatal clinics, limiting usefulness of current support services. All stakeholders perceived a community-based intervention to be acceptable and feasible as it could be integrated with other CHW-delivered services. Participants thought an intervention should facilitate early linkage to antenatal services and should include partners or family members. The feasibility of an intervention may depend on the relationship between CHWs and clinic-based antenatal staff, and their relationships with pregnant women. Clinic and community challenges to implementation were raised. Clinic-level challenges included shortage of space, staff capacity, high number of pregnant women, long waiting times, financial burden of having to travel to a clinic, lack of comfort and privacy and staff attitudes. Community-level challenges included crime, lack of privacy, lack of attention given competing interests in the home, fear due to abuse, and stigma and discrimination from other community members. Suggestions for overcoming these challenges were provided. Conclusion: Findings provide essential information to facilitate the adaptation of a community-based alcohol counselling programme for greater acceptability, feasibility and cultural appropriateness for the South African context. Intensive training, supervision and support is required to ensure the programme is delivered as planned.

Alcohol diagnostic validation for injury-related trauma: Findings from a pilot study.

Introduction: Alcohol consumption is a key driver of the burden of violence and injury in South Africa (SA). Hence, we aim to validate various alcohol assessment tools against a blood test to assess their utility for improving national health practice and policy. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study from 3 to 19 August 2022 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, SA. This was to test logistics for the time of venous blood centrifugation and validation of alcohol assessment tools used in injured patients ahead of the main validation study. Adults aged 18 years and older, who were injured <8 h before arrival were included. Consent was obtained for venous blood alcohol testing to validate, as the gold standard, against the following: active- and passive breath alcohol testing, clinical screening and a finger prick test. Descriptive statistics were reported for the pilot study. Results: The active breath alcohol test's digital reading and the passive test's 'yes/no' results corresponded well against the venous blood alcohol results. The average time to centrifugation was within the laboratory's 2-h cut-off requirement to preserve the alcohol in the serum. Discussion and Conclusion: The pilot study was helpful in identifying challenges with one of the alcohol assessment tools and prevented further costs ahead of the main validation study. We also determined that the selected tertiary hospital site caused a delay in recruiting eligible patients due to other hospital referrals. Hence, the main validation study is in progress at a district-level hospital for a larger sample of eligible patients for testing.

Strategies for supporting the implementation of a task-shared psychological intervention in South Africa's chronic disease services: qualitative insights from health managers' experiences of project MIND.

BACKGROUND: Although evidence indicates that task-shared psychological interventions can reduce mental health treatment gaps in resource-constrained settings, systemic barriers have limited their widespread implementation. Evidence on how to sustain and scale such approaches is scant. This study responds to this gap by examining the experiences of South African health managers involved in the implementation of a task-shared counselling service for Project MIND. OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively describe managers' experiences of implementing the MIND programme and their insights into potential strategies for supporting sustained implementation. METHODS: Two focus group discussions (FGDs) and eight in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with managers of urban and rural primary care facilities in the Western Cape province. All managers were female and 30-50 years old. FGDs and IDIs used an identical semi-structured topic guide to explore the experiences of the MIND programme and perceived barriers to sustained implementation. Normalisation process theory (NPT) guided the thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes emerged that mapped onto the NPT constructs. First, managers noted that their relational work with staff to promote support for the intervention and reduce resistance was key to facilitating implementation. Second, managers emphasised the need for staff reorientation and upskilling to foster openness to mental health practice and for adequate time for quality counselling. Third, managers underscored the importance of strengthening linkages between the health and social service sectors to facilitate delivery of comprehensive mental health services. Finally, managers recommended ongoing monitoring of the service and communication about its impacts as strategies for supporting integration into routine practice. CONCLUSIONS: Findings contribute to the emerging literature on strategies to support implementation of task-shared interventions in low- and middle-income countries. The findings highlight the leadership role of managers in identifying and actioning these strategies. Investing in managers' capacity to support implementation of psychological interventions is critical for scale-up of these mental health innovations.

Did COVID-19-Related Alcohol Sales Restrictions Reduce Alcohol Consumption? Findings from a National Online Survey in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: South Africa has a high prevalence of heavy episodic drinking (HED). Due to the high levels of alcohol misuse and violence, public hospital intensive care units were often overrun during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research investigated alcohol intake behaviour change during differing levels of lockdown restrictions, which included bans on alcohol sales. METHODS: A self-reported Facebook survey ran from July to November 2020. The questions included socio-demographics, income, alcohol intake, purchasing behaviour, and reasoning. Chi-square tests/Fisher's exact test for categorical data, Student's t-test for normal continuous data, and the Mann-Whitney U test for non-normal data were applied. Multiple logistic regression was run for HED versus moderate drinkers. RESULTS: A total of 798 participants took part in the survey, of which 68.4% were female. Nearly 50% of participants fell into the HED category and the majority bought alcohol illegally during restrictions. HED respondents who drank more alcohol than usual during restrictions reported that they felt stressed, needed to relax, and were bored. CONCLUSIONS: Policies intended to increase the pricing of alcohol may have the potential to reduce alcohol intake. Reducing stress and anxiety may be key to curtailing HED during emergency situations.

Benchmarking alcohol policy based on stringency and impact: The International Alcohol Control (IAC) policy index.

This study developed a measurement tool to assess stringency and 'on-the-ground' impact of four key alcohol policy domains to create an alcohol policy index suitable for benchmarking alcohol policy and assessing change over time in middle- and high-income countries. It involved a collaboration between researchers in 12 diverse countries: New Zealand; Australia; England; Scotland; Netherlands; Vietnam; Thailand; South Africa; Turkey; Chile; Saint Kitts and Nevis and Mongolia. Data on the four most effective alcohol policy domains (availability, pricing policy, alcohol marketing, drink driving) were used to create an alcohol policy index based on their association with alcohol per capita consumption (APC) of commercial (recorded) alcohol. An innovation was the inclusion of measures of impact along with the stringency of the legislation or regulation. The resulting International Alcohol Control (IAC) Policy Index showed a very high negative correlation (-0.91) with recorded APC. Greater affordability of alcohol, an impact measure taking into account prices paid and countries' Gross Domestic Product, was predictive of higher APC (-0.80). Countries in which more modes of alcohol marketing are legally allowed and used had higher APC. Legislation on outlet density and drink driving predicted APC whereas trading hours did not. While stringency and impact measures varied between domains in terms of relationship with APC, overall, there was a strong correlation between impact and stringency (0.77). The IAC Policy Index, which includes measures of policy stringency and 'on-the-ground' impacts in relation to four key policy areas, was found to be strongly associated with commercial alcohol consumed in a number of diverse country settings. It showed a larger relationship than previous indices that include more policy dimensions. The index provides a relatively simple tool for benchmarking and communication with policy makers to encourage a strong focus on uptake of these four most effective alcohol policies.

Adaptation of the Texas Christian University Organisational Readiness for Change Short Form (TCU-ORC-SF) for use in primary health facilities in South Africa.

OBJECTIVES: The Texas Christian University Organisational Readiness for Change Scale (TCU-ORC) assesses factors influencing adoption of evidence-based practices. It has not been validated in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC). This study assessed its psychometric properties in a South African setting with the aim of adapting it into a shorter measure. METHODS: This study was conducted in 24 South African primary healthcare clinics in the Western Cape Province. The TCU-ORC and two other measures, the Organisational Readiness to Change Assessment (ORCA) and the Checklist for Assessing Readiness for Implementation (CARI) were administered. The questionnaire was readministered after 2 weeks to obtain data on test-retest reliability. Three hundred and ninety-five surveys were completed: 281 participants completed the first survey, and 118 recompleted the assessments. RESULTS: We used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify latent dimensions represented in the data. Cronbach's alpha for each subscale was assessed and we examined the extent to which the subscales and total scale scores for the first and retest surveys correlated. Convergent validity was assessed by the correlation coefficient between the TCU-ORC, ORCA and CARI total scale scores. EFA resulted in a three-factor solution. The three subscales proposed are Clinic Organisational Climate (8 items), Motivational Readiness for Change (13 items) and Individual Change Efficacy (5 items) (26 items total). Cronbach's alpha for each subscale was >0.80. The overall shortened scale had a test-retest correlation of r=0.80, p<0.01, acceptable convergent validity with the ORCA scale (r=0.56, p<0.05), moderate convergence with the CARI (r=39, p<0.05) and strong correlation with the original scale (r=0.79, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the first psychometric data on the TCU-ORC from an LMIC. The proposed shortened tool may be more feasible for use in LMICs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Results stage. Project MIND trial. Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry. PACTR201610001825405.

On- and off-licensed premises drinking behaviour among adults in the city of Tshwane, South Africa: An analysis of data from the International Alcohol Control study.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Alcohol use is among the leading risk factors for premature death and morbidity in South Africa. This study sought to identify factors associated with drinking behaviour in on- and off-licensed premises (typical occasion quantity and frequency) among adults in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. DESIGN AND METHODS: A household survey was conducted in 2014, using a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling design. Participants comprised 982 adults (65% males) aged 18-65 years. Factors explored included socio-demographic variables and situational variables at on- and off-licensed premises. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to predict drinking behaviour at on- and off-licensed premises. RESULTS: The majority of the participants consumed alcohol in off-licensed premises (64% vs. 36%). However, participants who consumed alcohol at on-licensed premises were more likely to drink more alcohol and more frequently (weekly). Additionally, participants who consumed alcohol in above-average sized containers were more likely to consume six or more drinks and drink weekly. Being of high socio-economic status was associated with drinking weekly at off-licensed premises, while being less educated was associated with a significantly higher frequency of drinking at on-licensed premises. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to reduce alcohol use should target specific drinking behaviour at on- and off-licensed premises, for example, regulating the availability of alcohol in big-sized containers and the need for cutting down on quantity of alcohol and frequency of drinking for South African males who drink at on- and off-licensed premises.

Characteristics and Predictors of Heavy Episodic Drinking (HED) among Young People Aged 16-25: The International Alcohol Control Study (IAC), Tshwane, South Africa.

In South Africa, little is known about alcohol consumption patterns, such as drinks consumed, container size, salience of alcohol price, affordability and availability, and perceptions of alcohol policies as potential predictors of heavy episodic alcohol (HED) use among young people. This paper examines predictors of HED among young people with specific consideration given to these alcohol consumption patterns. This study conducted in the Tshwane Metropole in 2014 employed multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling. Participants were between the ages 16-25 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Of the 287 (n = 678) participants who had used alcohol in the past six months and for whom we had complete consumption data, almost half were identified as heavy episodic drinkers (HEDs) and were significantly more likely to consume alcohol on a daily basis (p = 0.001). Having nightclub as the primary drinking location (p = 0.023) and drinking from a container size bigger than one standard drink (p = 0.014) were significant predictors for HED. HEDs were also more likely to have a perception that most people consume alcohol (p = 0.047). The results point to HED of alcohol among young people who drink in South Africa, highlighting the need for multicomponent interventions.

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.