K Oyets A

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of screening and brief-intervention (SBI) in reducing unhealthy alcohol consumption among conflict-affected hospital outpatients in Tigray, Ethiopia. This study addresses the lack of evidence on SBI's impact in this population, which is important for developing effective alcohol policies and interventions. The focus is on outpatients identified with risky drinking behaviors after the post-war period. Participants will be screened using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). Those scoring between 8 and 19 will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive simple advice, brief counseling, and a health brochure, followed by alcohol consumption screening at 6 and 12 months. The control group will only have follow-up screenings at 6 and 12 months without receiving the counseling or advice. During the study, data will be collected through face-to-face interviews at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Researchers will analyze changes in AUDIT scores to assess the intervention's effectiveness. Safety and confidentiality of participant data will be maintained throughout. The study aims to provide evidence that can guide policies to reduce risky alcohol use in public hospital outpatients over the 12-month follow-up period.