Alcohol-associated problems and alcohol prevention in occupational medicine (analytical review)

Alcohol abuse is one of the main lifestyle factors affecting the health of the Russian population and determining the level and dynamics of morbidity and mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases. Alcohol addiction is one of the most difficult and dangerous diseases for humanity due to the enormous medical, social, moral, ethical, economic and spiritual losses. Alcohol damage is associated with medical expenses, reduced labor productivity, premature death. In the Concept of the implementation of the state policy to reduce alcohol abuse and prevent alcoholism among the population of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2020, it was stated that "alcohol abuse causes a particularly high mortality rate among men 40-60 years old, who at this age have the most valuable professional skills; their premature death damages the workforce with professional experience, reduces the amount of investment in human capital". Conducting an anti-alcohol program within the framework of occupational medicine seems to be an effective method of solving the problems of both the drinker himself and society as a whole. Alcohol risk management of Russian enterprises is a very promising and in-demand area of scientific and practical activity, which is of great interest to physicians, managers, economists and representatives of many other fields and professions.

Students' Drinking Status and Likelihood of Carrying a Weapon on Campus

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between different levels of alcohol risk, weapon carrying, and feeling of safety among 54,582 college students participating in the 2010 CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey. A higher number of binge drinking episodes was associated with higher likelihood of carrying a weapon. In addition, the interaction term in the model was significant which implies that the difference between those who feel safe and those who do not feel safe, in terms of carrying a weapon, is different for the levels of drinking risk.

A Modified Alcohol SBI for Use among Older Adults Living with HIV

Older adults living with HIV may have health conditions that amplify the potentially negative health effects of alcohol use. We adapted the Comorbidity Alcohol Risk Evaluation Tool (CARET) screening tool for at-risk drinking to reflect HIV/AIDS and related conditions, medications, and behaviors. The adapted CARET-HIV along with a brief intervention was administered to 27 older men living with HIV. The CARET-HIV identified the same number of at-risk drinkers as the original CARET (n = 24) but identified more risk domains. Most participants welcomed receiving information about risks associated with their drinking, but some felt “embarrassed” or “guilty” discussing their drinking. This is particularly salient within the context of HIV discourse, which has historically assigned blame of HIV infection on personal choices. The SBI was generally acceptable to participants. The modified CARET can help providers integrate discussion of alcohol use into the context of HIV care for personalized feedback.

A Web-Based Alcohol Risk Communication Tool: Development and Pretesting Study

Background Alcohol use is a major public health concern associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Health professionals in primary care commonly see patients with a range of alcohol-related risks and problems, providing an ideal opportunity for screening and brief intervention (BI). Objective This study aimed to develop a prototype for a Web-based tool for use by primary care health professionals (eg, doctors and nurses) to communicate alcohol harm risk to their patients and to engage with them regarding ways this risk could be reduced. Methods Following conceptualization and development of prototype wireframes, formative work and pretesting were undertaken. For the formative work, focus groups and key informant interviews were conducted with potential end users of the risk communication tool, including health professionals and consumers. The focus groups and interviews explored perceptions of alcohol risk communication and obtained feedback on the initial prototype. For pretesting, participants (primary care doctors and nurses) completed a Web-based survey followed by a period of pretesting before completion of a follow-up survey. The study was designed to gain feedback on the tool’s performance in real-world settings as well as its relevance, ease of use, and any suggested refinements. Results In the formative work stage, 11 key informants and 7 consumers participated in either focus groups or individual interviews. Participants were very positive about the prototype and believed that it would be useful and acceptable in practice. Key informants identified that the key point of difference with the tool was that it provided all the pieces in 1 place (ie, assessment, interpretation, and resources to support change). Participants provided feedback on how the tool could be improved, and these suggestions were incorporated into the prototype where possible. In the pretesting stage, 7 people (5 doctors and 2 primary care nurses) completed the pretesting. Participants reported that the tool provided a useful framework for an intervention, that it would be acceptable to patients, that it was easy to use, that they would be likely to use it in practice, and that there were no technical issues. Conclusions The alcohol risk communication tool was found to be acceptable and has the potential to increase the confidence of health professionals in assessing risk and providing BI.