Country and policy factors influencing the implementation of primary care-based alcohol screening: A comparison of Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

Researchers and practitioners recognise the importance of context when implementing healthcare interventions, but the influence of wider environment is rarely mapped. This paper identifies the country and policy-related factors potentially explaining the country differences in outcomes of an intervention focused on improving detection and management of heavy alcohol use in primary care in Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Qualitative data obtained through interviews, logbooks and document analysis are used to explain quantitative data on number of alcohol screenings and screening providers in each of the countries. Existing alcohol screening standards in Mexico, and policy prioritisation of primary care and consideration of alcohol as a public health issue in Colombia and Mexico positively contributed to the outcome, while the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact. In Peru, the context was unsupportive due to a combination of: political instability amongst regional health authorities; lack of focus on strengthening primary care due to the expansion of community mental health centres; alcohol considered as an addiction rather than a public health issue; and the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare. We found that wider environment-related factors interacted with the intervention implemented and can help explain country differences in outcomes.

[Detection of alcohol consumption at the first level of care in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemicDetecção do consumo de álcool no nível da atenção primária no México durante a pandemia de COVID-19]. / Detección del consumo de alcohol en el primer nivel de atención en México durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

Objective: To measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of a program for timely detection, brief intervention, and referral for treatment of alcohol consumption in health centers at the first level of care in Mexico City. Methods: The data were collected at 18 health centers in Mexico City between 2019 and 2021, as part of a larger study. A total of 287 participating health professionals measured their patients' alcohol consumption using the AUDIT-C test. The patients' demographic aspects and consumption patterns were analyzed, as well as care actions (detection, brief intervention, provision of leaflets, monitoring, and referral) at three points in time: before the COVID-19 pandemic, during confinement, and after confinement. Parametric and nonparametric tests were performed to identify the relationship and differences between the variables at the three points. Results: A total of 9090 people who consumed alcohol were identified; detection of consumption fluctuated in the three periods studied (26%, 53%, and 37%, respectively). Medium- and high-risk consumption was more frequent among young men with higher schooling during and after confinement. In the post-confinement period, monitoring and referral actions increased. Conclusions: Measuring the impact of the pandemic on the implementation of a program for timely detection of alcohol consumption, brief intervention, and referral for treatment in health centers helps to develop health policies by age, gender, schooling, and type of consumption at the first level of care.

Objetivo: Medir o efeito da pandemia de COVID-19 na implementação de um programa de detecção oportuna, intervenção breve e encaminhamento para tratamento pelo consumo de álcool em centros de saúde no nível da atenção primária na Cidade do México. Métodos: Foram coletados dados em 18 centros de saúde na Cidade do México entre 2019 e 2021, como parte de um estudo mais amplo. Participaram 287 profissionais de saúde, que mediram o consumo de álcool de seus pacientes com o teste AUDIT-C. Foram analisados aspectos demográficos e o padrão de consumo dos pacientes, bem como as medidas em termos de atendimento (triagem, intervenção breve, entrega de folhetos, monitoramento e encaminhamento) em três momentos: antes da pandemia de COVID-19, durante o confinamento e após o confinamento. Foram feitos testes paramétricos e não paramétricos para identificar a relação e as diferenças entre as variáveis nos três períodos. Resultados: Foram identificadas 9.090 pessoas com consumo de álcool, sendo que a porcentagem de consumo detectada flutuou nos três períodos estudados (26%, 53% e 37%, respectivamente). O consumo de médio e alto risco foi mais prevalente entre homens jovens e com nível maior de escolaridade durante e após o confinamento. No período posterior ao confinamento, as medidas de monitoramento e encaminhamento aumentaram. Conclusões: Medir o impacto da pandemia na implementação de um programa de detecção oportuna, intervenção breve e encaminhamento para tratamento do consumo de álcool em centros de saúde ajuda na formulação de políticas de saúde por idade, gênero, escolaridade e tipo de consumo para o primeiro nível de atenção.

Detección del consumo de alcohol en el primer nivel de atención en México durante la pandemia de COVID-19

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Medir el efecto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la implementación de un programa de detección oportuna, intervención breve y referencia para tratamiento por consumo de alcohol en centros de salud del primer nivel de atención de la Ciudad de México. Métodos. Se recopilaron los datos en 18 centros de salud de la Ciudad de México entre 2019 y 2021, como parte de un estudio más amplio. Participaron 287 profesionales de la salud, quienes midieron el consumo de alcohol de sus pacientes con la prueba AUDIT-C. Se analizaron aspectos demográficos y patrones de con- sumo de los pacientes, así como las acciones de atención (detección, intervención breve, entrega de folletos, monitoreo y referencia) en tres momentos: antes de la pandemia de COVID-19, durante el confinamiento y luego del confinamiento. Se realizaron pruebas paramétricas y no paramétricas para identificar la relación y las diferencias entre las variables en los tres períodos. Resultados. Se identificaron 9090 personas con consumo de alcohol; el porcentaje de detección del con- sumo tuvo fluctuaciones en los tres períodos estudiados (26%, 53% y 37%, respectivamente). El consumo de riesgo medio y alto fue más frecuente entre hombres jóvenes y con mayor escolaridad durante y después del confinamiento. En el período posconfinamiento aumentaron las acciones de monitoreo y referencia. Conclusiones. La medición del impacto de la pandemia en la implementación de un programa de detección oportuna, asesoramiento breve y referencia para el tratamiento del consumo de alcohol en centros de salud ayuda a elaborar políticas en salud por edad, género, escolaridad y tipo de consumo para el primer nivel de atención.

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of a program for timely detection, brief intervention, and referral for treatment of alcohol consumption in health centers at the first level of care in Mexico City. Methods. The data were collected at 18 health centers in Mexico City between 2019 and 2021, as part of a lar- ger study. A total of 287 participating health professionals measured their patients' alcohol consumption using the AUDIT-C test. The patients' demographic aspects and consumption patterns were analyzed, as well as care actions (detection, brief intervention, provision of leaflets, monitoring, and referral) at three points in time: before the COVID-19 pandemic, during confinement, and after confinement. Parametric and nonparametric tests were performed to identify the relationship and differences between the variables at the three points. Results. A total of 9090 people who consumed alcohol were identified; detection of consumption fluctuated in the three periods studied (26%, 53%, and 37%, respectively). Medium- and high-risk consumption was more frequent among young men with higher schooling during and after confinement. In the post-confinement period, monitoring and referral actions increased. Conclusions. Measuring the impact of the pandemic on the implementation of a program for timely detection of alcohol consumption, brief intervention, and referral for treatment in health centers helps to develop health policies by age, gender, schooling, and type of consumption at the first level of care.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Medir o efeito da pandemia de COVID-19 na implementação de um programa de detecção opor- tuna, intervenção breve e encaminhamento para tratamento pelo consumo de álcool em centros de saúde no nível da atenção primária na Cidade do México. Métodos. Foram coletados dados em 18 centros de saúde na Cidade do México entre 2019 e 2021, como parte de um estudo mais amplo. Participaram 287 profissionais de saúde, que mediram o consumo de álcool de seus pacientes com o teste AUDIT-C. Foram analisados aspectos demográficos e o padrão de consumo dos pacientes, bem como as medidas em termos de atendimento (triagem, intervenção breve, entrega de folhetos, monitoramento e encaminhamento) em três momentos: antes da pandemia de COVID-19, durante o confinamento e após o confinamento. Foram feitos testes paramétricos e não paramétricos para identificar a relação e as diferenças entre as variáveis nos três períodos. Resultados. Foram identificadas 9.090 pessoas com consumo de álcool, sendo que a porcentagem de con- sumo detectada flutuou nos três períodos estudados (26%, 53% e 37%, respectivamente). O consumo de médio e alto risco foi mais prevalente entre homens jovens e com nível maior de escolaridade durante e após o confinamento. No período posterior ao confinamento, as medidas de monitoramento e encaminhamento aumentaram. Conclusões. Medir o impacto da pandemia na implementação de um programa de detecção oportuna, intervenção breve e encaminhamento para tratamento do consumo de álcool em centros de saúde ajuda na formulação de políticas de saúde por idade, gênero, escolaridade e tipo de consumo para o primeiro nível de atenção.

Detección del consumo de alcohol en el primer nivel de atención en México durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Detection of alcohol consumption at the first level of care in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic / Detecção do consumo de álcool no nível da atenção primária no México durante a pandemia de COVID-19

RESUMEN Objetivo. Medir el efecto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la implementación de un programa de detección oportuna, intervención breve y referencia para tratamiento por consumo de alcohol en centros de salud del primer nivel de atención de la Ciudad de México. Métodos. Se recopilaron los datos en 18 centros de salud de la Ciudad de México entre 2019 y 2021, como parte de un estudio más amplio. Participaron 287 profesionales de la salud, quienes midieron el consumo de alcohol de sus pacientes con la prueba AUDIT-C. Se analizaron aspectos demográficos y patrones de consumo de los pacientes, así como las acciones de atención (detección, intervención breve, entrega de folletos, monitoreo y referencia) en tres momentos: antes de la pandemia de COVID-19, durante el confinamiento y luego del confinamiento. Se realizaron pruebas paramétricas y no paramétricas para identificar la relación y las diferencias entre las variables en los tres períodos. Resultados. Se identificaron 9 090 personas con consumo de alcohol; el porcentaje de detección del consumo tuvo fluctuaciones en los tres períodos estudiados (26%, 53% y 37%, respectivamente). El consumo de riesgo medio y alto fue más frecuente entre hombres jóvenes y con mayor escolaridad durante y después del confinamiento. En el período posconfinamiento aumentaron las acciones de monitoreo y referencia. Conclusiones. La medición del impacto de la pandemia en la implementación de un programa de detección oportuna, asesoramiento breve y referencia para el tratamiento del consumo de alcohol en centros de salud ayuda a elaborar políticas en salud por edad, género, escolaridad y tipo de consumo para el primer nivel de atención.

ABSTRACT Objective. To measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of a program for timely detection, brief intervention, and referral for treatment of alcohol consumption in health centers at the first level of care in Mexico City. Methods. The data were collected at 18 health centers in Mexico City between 2019 and 2021, as part of a larger study. A total of 287 participating health professionals measured their patients' alcohol consumption using the AUDIT-C test. The patients' demographic aspects and consumption patterns were analyzed, as well as care actions (detection, brief intervention, provision of leaflets, monitoring, and referral) at three points in time: before the COVID-19 pandemic, during confinement, and after confinement. Parametric and nonparametric tests were performed to identify the relationship and differences between the variables at the three points. Results. A total of 9090 people who consumed alcohol were identified; detection of consumption fluctuated in the three periods studied (26%, 53%, and 37%, respectively). Medium- and high-risk consumption was more frequent among young men with higher schooling during and after confinement. In the post-confinement period, monitoring and referral actions increased. Conclusions. Measuring the impact of the pandemic on the implementation of a program for timely detection of alcohol consumption, brief intervention, and referral for treatment in health centers helps to develop health policies by age, gender, schooling, and type of consumption at the first level of care.

RESUMO Objetivo. Medir o efeito da pandemia de COVID-19 na implementação de um programa de detecção oportuna, intervenção breve e encaminhamento para tratamento pelo consumo de álcool em centros de saúde no nível da atenção primária na Cidade do México. Métodos. Foram coletados dados em 18 centros de saúde na Cidade do México entre 2019 e 2021, como parte de um estudo mais amplo. Participaram 287 profissionais de saúde, que mediram o consumo de álcool de seus pacientes com o teste AUDIT-C. Foram analisados aspectos demográficos e o padrão de consumo dos pacientes, bem como as medidas em termos de atendimento (triagem, intervenção breve, entrega de folhetos, monitoramento e encaminhamento) em três momentos: antes da pandemia de COVID-19, durante o confinamento e após o confinamento. Foram feitos testes paramétricos e não paramétricos para identificar a relação e as diferenças entre as variáveis nos três períodos. Resultados. Foram identificadas 9.090 pessoas com consumo de álcool, sendo que a porcentagem de consumo detectada flutuou nos três períodos estudados (26%, 53% e 37%, respectivamente). O consumo de médio e alto risco foi mais prevalente entre homens jovens e com nível maior de escolaridade durante e após o confinamento. No período posterior ao confinamento, as medidas de monitoramento e encaminhamento aumentaram. Conclusões. Medir o impacto da pandemia na implementação de um programa de detecção oportuna, intervenção breve e encaminhamento para tratamento do consumo de álcool em centros de saúde ajuda na formulação de políticas de saúde por idade, gênero, escolaridade e tipo de consumo para o primeiro nível de atenção.

Costs of an Alcohol Measurement Intervention in Three Latin American Countries.

Alcohol measurement in health care settings is an effective intervention for reducing alcohol-related harm. However, in many countries, costs related to alcohol measurement have not yet been transparently assessed, which may hinder its adoption and implementation. Costs of an alcohol measurement programme in three upper-middle-income Latin American countries were assessed via questionnaires and compared, as part of the quasi-experimental SCALA study. Additional to the intervention costs, the costs of three implementation strategies: standard training and clinical package, intensive training and clinical package, and community support, were assessed and subsequently translated into costs per additional alcohol measurement session. Results demonstrated that costs for one alcohol measurement session ranged between Int$ 0.67 and Int$ 1.23 in Colombia, Int$ 1.19 and Int$ 2.57 in Mexico, and Int$ 1.11 and Int$ 2.14 in Peru. Costs were mainly driven by the salaries of the health professionals. Implementation strategies costs per additional alcohol measurement session ranged between Int$ 1.24 and Int$ 6.17. In all three countries, standard training and a clinical package may be a promising implementation strategy with a relatively low cost per additional alcohol measurement session.

Incidence of catastrophic healthcare expenditure and its main determinants in Mexican households caring for a person with a mental disorder.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies on the impact of out-of-pocket mental health care expenditures and sociodemographic factors on the probability of Mexican households to incur catastrophic healthcare expenditures (CHE). OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to estimate the incidence of CHE and its main determinants among the households of persons with mental disorders (MD) in Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, including 387 households of persons with MD. The estimation of the CHE was obtained by the health expenditure distribution method. A Logistic Regression (LR) was used to identify the determinants of probability variation of CHE occurrence. Since we expected a proportion of CHE between 20% and 80%, we assume linearity in the probability function, therefore we additionally used an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model. RESULTS: In our sample, the incidence of CHE was 34.8%. The two mental illnesses most frequently associated with CHE were schizophrenia and hyperactive disorder (35.5% and 32.6% of CHE cases, respectively). The regression coefficients showed that for each unit (US$53.77) increase in income, the probability of CHE was reduced by 8.6%, while for each unit increase in hospitalization or medication expenditures, the probability of CHE increased by 12.9% or 19%, respectively. For each additional household member, the probability of CHE increased by 3%, and households with a male patient had a 7% greater probability of CHE. CONCLUSION: Household income, household size, hospitalization and medication expenses, and sex of the patient were significant predictors of CHE for households caring for a person with MD.