Process evaluation of the implementation of a screening and brief intervention program for alcohol risk in primary health care: An experience in Brazil

  1. MICHAELA B. AMARAL1,*,
  2. TELMO M. RONZANI2,
  3. MARIA LUCIA O. SOUZA-FORMIGONI1,*

Article first published online: 5 OCT 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-3362.2009.00120.x

Issue

Drug and Alcohol Review

Drug and Alcohol Review

Volume 29, Issue 2, pages 162–168, March 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

AMARAL, M. B., RONZANI, T. M. and SOUZA-FORMIGONI, M. L. O. (2010), Process evaluation of the implementation of a screening and brief intervention program for alcohol risk in primary health care: An experience in Brazil. Drug and Alcohol Review, 29: 162–168. doi: 10.1111/j.1465-3362.2009.00120.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil and

  2. 2

    Department of Psychology, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Minas Gerais, Brazil

*Michaela B. Amaral MsSci, Doctoral Student, Telmo M. Ronzani PhD, Professor, Maria Lucia O. Souza-Formigoni PhD, Professor. Dr Maria Lucia O. Souza-Formigoni, Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Botucatu 862 1o. andar, Vila Clementino, cep 04023062—São Paulo-SP, Brazil. Tel: (155) (11) 2149-0155; Fax: (155) (11) 5572-5092; E-mail: mlformig@psicobio.epm.br

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 MAR 2010
  2. Article first published online: 5 OCT 2009
  3. Received 12 December 2008; accepted for publication 3 May 2009.

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Keywords:

  • alcohol;
  • screening;
  • brief intervention;
  • primary health care;
  • action research

Abstract

Introduction and Aims. Screening and brief intervention (SBI) are considered good prevention strategies for alcohol-related problems in Primary Health Care (PHC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the process of an SBI implementation program for alcohol risk use and evaluate the factors that facilitated or impeded this implementation, in two PHC settings at the Brazilian city of Juiz de Fora. Design and Methods. Case 1 public PHC services and case 2 the PHC service of the Military Police. Participants were trained on SBI strategies and supervised during 6 months. The qualitative methodology of action research was used. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results. Case 1: 70 participants; facilitating factors: good expectations about the project; simplicity of SBI technique; collaborative way the project was planned. Barriers: lack of time; discomfort in dealing with alcohol issues; focus on alcohol-dependence; unstable political environment; other priorities; difficulties in patients' referral. Case 2: nine participants. Facilitating factors: simplicity of SBI technique; collaborative way the project was planned; importance of alcohol issues; data confidentiality and the voluntary work to do SBI. Barriers: only one health professional in the group; the variability of the institutional support; organisational culture about alcohol use. Discussion and Conclusions. The barriers and facilitators were related to two main factors: organisational culture and personal attitudes. The action research provided the opportunity to bridge the gap between research and practice, but it also showed that SBI faces significant challenges before it can be implemented as a routine procedure in PHC settings in Brazil. [Amaral MB, Ronzani TM, Souza-Formigoni MLO. Process evaluation of the implementation of a screening and brief intervention program for alcohol risk in primary health care: An experience in Brazil. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009]

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