Brief interventions for older adults (BIO) delivered by non-specialist community health workers to reduce at-risk drinking in primary care: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionEvidence suggests that brief interventions are effective in reducing alcohol consumption among older adults. However, the effectiveness of these interventions when delivered by community health workers (non-specialists) in a primary healthcare setting is unknown. To our knowledge, this will be the first randomised trial to examine this.Methods and analysisTwo hundred and forty-two individuals considered at-risk drinkers (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption, AUDIT-C score >= 4) will be recruited and randomly allocated to usual care (waiting-list) or usual care plus an intervention delivered by trained community health workers (non-specialists). Seven primary care units (PCUs) in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. PCUs are part of the Brazilian public healthcare system (Sistema unico de Saude).Follow-up6months.OutcomesThe primary outcome will be the proportion of participants considered at-risk drinkers (AUDIT-C score >= 4). Secondary outcomes will include alcohol consumption in a typical week in the last 30 days (in units per week) assessed by the AUDIT, service use questionnaire, cognitive performance-assessed by The Health and Retirement Study Harmonised Cognitive Assessment, physical activity-assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, depression-assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale and quality of life-assessed by the Control, Autonomy, Self-realisation and Pleasure-16 instrument. The analysis will be based on intention-to-treat principle.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal de SAo Paulo, CEP/UNIFESP Project n: 0690/2018; CAAE: 91648618.0.0000.5505. All eligible participants will provide informed consent prior to randomisation. The results of this study will be published in relevant peer-reviewed journals and in conference presentations.Trial registration numberRBR-8rcxkk.