Design, implementation and evaluation of a web-based computer-tailored intervention to prevent binge drinking in adolescents: study protocol

Abstract

BackgroundBinge-drinking in adolescents is a highly prevalent healthcare problem that associates physical and mental health complications with community implications. This paper describes the design, implementation and evaluation of the first web-based computer tailored intervention aimed at the prevention of binge drinking in Spanish adolescents.MethodsThe Alerta Alcohol program is based on the I-Change Model. First, feedback from focus and Delphi groups are used for cultural adaptation and to obtain further information on the items to be included on the program. A pilot study is then conducted to assess feasibility and to identify strengths and weaknesses. Second, a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial is conducted to test the effectiveness of Alerta Alcohol in students aged 16 to 18 years. The study is performed in 16 high schools from Andalusia (southern Spain), which are randomized either to the experimental or the control condition (EC and CC). The EC receives the Alerta Alcohol intervention, which consists of four sessions at school (baseline questionnaire, two sessions in three scenarios: at home, celebrations, and public places, and a final evaluation). The adolescents are provided with answers related to their views of each scenario; this information is used to provide highly specific feedback regarding their knowledge, risk perception, self-esteem, attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy. In addition, two booster sessions are given at home to reinforce the previous messages. The CC just completes the baseline and the final evaluation questionnaires and then they are allowed to receive the intervention as well (as a waiting list). Evaluation takes place after four months. The primary endpoint is binge drinking within 30 days prior to the evaluation and alcohol use in the previous week. It is expected that Alerta Alcohol reduce the prevalence of binge drinking by 10%. Follow up analyses are carried out to determine the differences in effectiveness according to the compliance of the program (quality of the implementation).DiscussionThe results are expected to be applicable and may incorporate improvements in the practice of the Healthcare and Education Systems. If the program proves to be effective, regional and eventual national implementation should be considered.Trial registrationTrial registration number (ClinicalTrials.gov): NCT03288896. This study was retrospectively registered on 19/09/2017.

Social, economic and family factors associated with binge drinking in Spanish adolescents

“…Data from a longitudinal study, a two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial with an intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG) randomized at the school level, for prevention of BD in adolescents known as Alerta Alcohol were used in this work (more information about the design of the study can be obtained from the published study protocol; see Lima-Serrano et al, 2018) [29]. Alerta Alcohol is a web-based computer-tailored programme consisting of six sessions, of which sessions 1 and 6 consist of assessment questionnaires and sessions 2 to 5 are aimed at providing feedback through preventive messages and personalized information to intervene on alcohol use.…”

Why are Spanish Adolescents Binge Drinkers? Focus Group with Adolescents and Parents

“…Social influences consist of the perception of others carrying out this type of behaviour (social modelling), the norms that people have with respect to these behaviours (social norms) and the perceived pressure from the environment (social pressure). Self-efficacy refers to a person's perception of their capability to carry out the type of behaviour [18,19]. Motivational factors are determined by various awareness factors (knowledge, risk perceptions and cues to action), predisposing factors (behavioural, psychological, biological, social and cultural factors) and information factors [17].…”

Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis of a web-based computer-tailored intervention for prevention of binge drinking among Spanish adolescents

“…The sample was part of a two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial that evaluated an intervention aimed at reducing binge drinking among adolescents (aged [15][16][17][18][19] in Andalusian secondary schools through a web-based computer-tailored programme known as Alerta Alcohol (more information about the design of the study may be found in Lima-Serrano et al (2018) [17]). A total of 1,247 adolescents from 15 public high schools were assessed at baseline (January-February, 2017) and 612 adolescents at 4-month follow up (May-June, 2017).…”

“…Heavy episodic drinking (HED) (de ned as drinking ve or more drinks, 60 or more grams of pure alcohol, on at least one occasion at least once per month) among young people aged 15 to 19 years is particularly prevalent in Europe (24.1%) [1]. Despite reductions in HED among adolescents (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)…”