Alcohol Brief Intervention Plus Personalized Mobile Chat-based Intervention for High-risk Drinking University Students

Alcohol Brief Intervention Plus Personalized Mobile Chat-based Intervention for High-risk Drinking University Students

A Pilot Study on the Feasibility of Alcohol Brief Intervention Plus Personalized Mobile Chat-based Intervention to Reduce High-risk Drinking Among University Students in Hong Kong

The aims of this pilot study are: To examine the factors associated with alcohol drinking and alcohol use disorder To examine the effect of face-to-face alcohol brief intervention on drinking reduction To examine the effect of a continuous interactive chat-based intervention via "WhatsApp" on drinking reduction To explore the perception of face-to-face alcohol brief intervention To explore the perception of continuous interactive chat-based intervention via instant messaging mobile application "WhatsApp"

According to the Department of Health, majority of people in Hong Kong started to develop drinking habit at 18-21 years of age in 2014/2015. Amongst them, 16.8% had scored higher than 3 in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for Consumption (AUDIT-C) (an abbreviated version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, or AUDIT, designed by the World Health Organization(WHO)), while 3.5% had even scored 8 or above in the test. With higher prevalence to begin drinking within 18 and 23 years old, university students could have established higher tendency of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence as compared with other age groups. Therefore, early interventions such as the evidence-based Alcohol Brief Intervention (ABI) suggested by the WHO are particularly needed to target university drinkers who are 5% more likely to develop higher frequency of drinking in later of their lives compared with other age groups.

chat-based intervention, alcohol brief intervention, high-risk drinking, university students, AUDIT, instant messaging, WhatsApp

Subjects in the active arm study will receive continuous interactive chat-based intervention as an extension of alcohol brief intervention at baseline. The interactive mobile chat will be carried out on Friday night and Saturday before and during the period of "happy hour" and ask for drinking and giving personalized advises on drinking reduction using behavioral change techniques.

Those in the control arm will be assigned to only receive the face-to-face ABI. The ABI consists of: (1) giving feedback and information about the screening result in phase I and hazard of drinking; (2) emphasizing the benefits of reduce drinking and informing about alcohol problems; (3) setting goal on reducing alcohol consumption; (4) reviewing advice and ;(5) giving encouragement.

Assessed by Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (ranged 0-40 with higher score indicating problematic alcohol use)

Inclusion Criteria: Hong Kong resident aged 18 to 26 inclusive Scored 5-19 inclusive in the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) Able to communicate in Chinese and read Chinese Using a phone with instant messaging mobile application "WhatsApp" installed for communication Exclusion Criteria: Students with communication barrier (either physically or cognitively) Currently participating in other alcohol treatment services or clinics.