Experiences of a mobile phone delivered brief intervention for hazardous drinking: A qualitative study nested in the AMBIT trial from Goa, India

Danielle Fernandes, Ethel D'souza, Seema Sambari, Grace Marimilha Pacheco, Joseline D’souza, Richard Velleman, Urvita Bhatia, Abhijit Nadkarni

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Abstract

Background
This study explores the experiences of participants receiving a mobile-based brief intervention (BI) for hazardous drinking in India, to determine characteristics that influenced engagement and examine perceived reasons for change in alcohol consumption.

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 adult hazardous drinkers who received a mobile-based BI in the intervention arm of a pilot randomised control trial. Data were coded through an iterative process and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings
Study participants reported a positive experience, with factors such as customised intervention delivery and personal motivation facilitating their engagement. Participants reported a reduction in quantity and frequency of alcohol use. This was credited to the intervention, particularly, its provision of health-related information, goal-setting content and strategies to manage drinking. Apart from alcohol reduction, participants reported improvements in diet, lifestyle, wellbeing, and familial relations.

Implication
By providing a context to explain the impact of the intervention, the learnings from this study can be used to strengthen the implementation of mobile-based interventions. This study outlines the scope for further research in digital health, such as Internet-based health interventions, and incorporating digital interventions within the ambit of existing health care programmes.
Original languageEnglish
JournalGlobal Mental Health
Volume10
Early online date7 Sept 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Dec 2023

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, A.N.

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