Native-Changing High-risk Alcohol Use and Increasing Contraception Effectiveness Study (Native-CHOICES)

University of Colorado, Denver, Sanford Research, Missouri Breaks Industries Research, Inc., University of Minnesota

Native CHOICES is a randomized controlled trial of an adapted intervention to reduce the risk of alcohol exposed pregnancies in American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). We will enroll 350 AI/AN women living on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation or in Rapid City in South Dakota who are 18-44 years old, have risky drinking behaviors, are not currently pregnant but are able to become pregnant, and are sexually active but not using effective contraception.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) prevalence is up to 10 times higher in American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) than in the general US population, yet FASD is 100% preventable. Even moderate alcohol use during pregnancy can affect fetal growth and behavioral outcomes. Alcohol use disorders and binge drinking in women are among the strongest risk factors for FASD in their offspring. AI/ANs have the highest prevalence of alcohol use disorders among US racial and ethnic groups, and are the most likely to engage in binge drinking during pregnancy. A growing consensus indicates that prevention of alcohol-exposed pregnancy must begin before conception. One promising approach is the Changing High-risk Alcohol Use and Increasing Contraception Effectiveness Study (CHOICES), which combines motivational interviewing with contraception counseling for non-pregnant women. In a randomized trial, women receiving CHOICES were 36% more likely to have reduced risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancies after 6 months than women receiving usual care, but the trial did not enroll AI/ANs or rural women. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended its dissemination, the public health value and cost-effectiveness of CHOICES in AI/ANs is unknown. We propose a randomized controlled trial of an adapted intervention - Native-CHOICES - to reduce risk of alcohol exposed pregnancies in AI/ANs. We will enroll 350 AI/AN women living on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation or in Rapid City in South Dakota who are 18-44 years old, have risky drinking behaviors, are not currently pregnant but are able to become pregnant, and are sexually active but not using effective contraception. Native-CHOICES will consist of 2 motivational interviewing sessions plus 1 contraceptive counseling session over 4 weeks, with supportive electronic messaging for 3 months to increase perceived social connectedness and support for modifying drinking behavior and using contraception.

Native-CHOICES will comprise usual care plus 2 MI sessions delivered over 4 weeks; a contraception counseling session at a local clinic; and 3 months of electronic messaging to boost the effects of MI and counseling by increasing perceptions of social connection and social support for behavior change. Contraception counseling will be completed within 2 weeks after the second MI session, so the maximum duration of MI and counseling for each participant will be 6 weeks. Electronic messaging will include positive motivational content consistent with alcohol and contraception use goals set in the MI sessions.

The control condition will comprise usual care for the 6-month study period, with a wait-list design that offers women the Native- CHOICES program after they have completed the 6-month data collection.

Native CHOICES is a behavioral intervention for prevention of prenatal alcohol exposure in women at high risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancies. The intervention uses motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral strategies, and targets adoption of effective contraception and reduction of alcohol use.

Our primary outcome is reduction in risk of alcohol exposed pregnancy, defined as no heavy or binge drinking or effective contraception use, or both.

Inclusion Criteria: Native American Woman 18-44 years old at the time of recruitment Self-report high-risk drinking behavior (average 8 or more drinks per week) or episodes of binge drinking (four or more drinks on a single occasion) in the past 90 days Have vaginal sex with a male partner in the past 30 days Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosed as infertile Pregnant Effectively using contraceptives defined by standard methods Living in a household with someone who is already enrolled in the study