MedPath

Improving Alcohol and Substance Use Care Access, Outcome, Equity During the Reproductive Years

Not Applicable
Suspended
Conditions
Reproductive Health
Sexual Health
Pregnancy
Alcohol-Related Disorders
Substance-Related Disorders
Maternal Health
Mental Health
Contraception
Women's Health
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Interventions
Behavioral: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
Registration Number
NCT05910580
Lead Sponsor
Emory University
Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of evidence-based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) among adult patients who screen positive to one or more risky alcohol or substance use behaviors while seeking care at a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) clinic.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does SBIRT impact patients' alcohol and substance use, SRH, mental health, physical health, quality of life, and wellbeing?

* Does SBIRT effectiveness differ by ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, gender, and urbanicity?

* Does SBIRT effectiveness differ by delivery mode (in-person vs. telemedicine)?

Participants will receive in-person SBIRT, telemedicine SBIRT, or usual care. Participants will complete surveys at interviews at baseline, 30 days, and 3 months.

Researchers will compare patients who received SBIRT to patients who receive usual care to see if patients who receive the SBIRT intervention have a greater reduction in negative outcomes as compared to those who receive usual care. In this setting, usual care consists of basic quantity and frequency questions asked inconsistently as part of the admission process and varying by provider, with no standardized approach to screening, treatment, follow-up, or referral.

Detailed Description

Risky alcohol and drug use are associated with severe, negative, and long-term health outcomes and disparities, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH), among reproductive aged people in the United States. High rates and sequelae of alcohol and drug use disproportionately experienced by structurally marginalized groups shape lifelong health inequities for people of racial/ethnic minority, living in poverty, and residing in under-resourced and under-served communities. Among populations at risk of pregnancy-related sequelae (predominantly those self-identifying as women and thus this study's primary focus), harmful alcohol and substance use and alcohol use disorders (AUDs)/substance use disorders (SUDs) contribute to condom and contraceptive nonuse among those not intending pregnancy, sex while intoxicated, non-consensual sex, violence/rape, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.

Family planning (FP) clinics are uniquely well-suited but entirely untapped sites for implementing and scaling integrated alcohol/substance use services. Largely community-based health centers that are publicly funded and/or serve Medicaid enrollees, FP clinics are a trusted care source and primary access point for reproductive aged women, and a safety net for the most socially disadvantaged groups. Yet few, if any, studies have rigorously evaluated interventions or implementation strategies to accelerate the uptake of alcohol/substance services in FP contexts. In obstetrics and HIV, widespread adoption of evidence-based SBIRT (screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment) is precluded by multi-level barriers; data on specific challenges faced by FP providers are lacking. Virtually nothing is known about telemedicine, which has been rolled out for contraception and other routine visits during the pandemic, as a technological infrastructure for SBIRT. Whether and how the promising strategy of Implementation and Sustainment Facilitation (ISF) can bridge systems barriers and support scale up in FP settings is unknown.

The researchers propose an explanatory, sequential, mixed methods study of alcohol and drug SBIRT in an expansive FP clinic network - a novel and highly impactful setting with a national reach of a diverse and largely structurally disadvantaged population of reproductive-aged women at greatest risk for AUDs/SUDs. The researchers will conduct a randomized Type 1 Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial within a large Northeastern regional affiliate and its four clinics of a national SRH care organization.

Results will inform an evidence-based, innovative, stakeholder-driven FP SBIRT model in response to the high-level calls for integrated women's health care. With concrete guidance for scaling alcohol/ drug services in SRH settings nationally, findings will promote women's health equity across the U.S.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
SUSPENDED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
600
Inclusion Criteria
  • Over the age of 18 years
  • U.S. residing
  • Have internet access (own a computer or smart phone)
  • Screen positive to one or more risky alcohol and substance use behaviors as determined by our standardized abbreviated instruments
Exclusion Criteria
  • Not capable of communicating (reading, speaking, writing) in English or Spanish

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)Patients at study clinics who are randomized to receive the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) intervention, which is delivered in-person and through telemedicine.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Average drinks per drinking day (T2)3 months

Average number of drinks consumed on days where individual consumed alcohol (past 30 days)

Depression score (T0)Baseline

Score on the depression scale from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), which measures depression severity in past 14 days. Scores can range from 0 to 27, with scores of 0-4 classified as minimal depression, 5-9 as mild depression; 10-14 as moderate depression; 15-19 as moderately severe depression, and ≥ 20 as severe depression). Each item on the scale can be scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly everyday).

Average drinks per drinking day (T0)Baseline

Average number of drinks consumed on days where individual consumed alcohol (past 30 days)

Depression score (T1)30 days

Score on the depression scale from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), which measures depression severity in past 14 days. Scores can range from 0 to 27, with scores of 0-4 classified as minimal depression, 5-9 as mild depression; 10-14 as moderate depression; 15-19 as moderately severe depression, and ≥ 20 as severe depression). Each item on the scale can be scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly everyday).

Depression score (T2)3 months

Score on the depression scale from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), which measures depression severity in past 14 days. Scores can range from 0 to 27, with scores of 0-4 classified as minimal depression, 5-9 as mild depression; 10-14 as moderate depression; 15-19 as moderately severe depression, and ≥ 20 as severe depression). Each item on the scale can be scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly everyday).

Fidelity - BIOS score for audio recordings (2)During the 12-month implementation phase

Mean score on the 11th item of the Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS) per provider from a sample of audio recorded brief interventions (BI). The 11th item reflects how well the provider use a motivational style. Scores can range from 1-7, with higher scores indicating better performance.

Fidelity - BIOS score for audio recordings (1)During the 12-month implementation phase

Mean score on the first 10 items of the Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS) per provider from a sample of audio recorded brief interventions (BI). Scores can range from 0-10, with higher scores indicating better performance.

Incidence of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs (T1)30 days

Any incidence of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs in past 30 days

Number of events of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs (T1)30 days

Number of events of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs in past 30 days

Number of events of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs (T2)3 months

Number of events of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs in past 30 days

Number of recordings to achieve competencyDuring the 6-month preparation phase

Number of audio recordings needed to achieve competency as rated by SBIRT trainers using the Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS)

Patients receiving BI (IP)During the 12-month implementation phase

Percent of patients in each clinic out of all who screen positive, who receive a brief intervention during the implementation phase (IP)

Patients receiving BI (SP)During the 12-month sustainment phase

Patients receiving BI (SP)

Average drinks per drinking day (T1)30 days

Average number of drinks consumed on days where individual consumed alcohol (past 30 days)

Incidence of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs (T0)Baseline

Any incidence of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs in past 30 days

Incidence of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs (T2)3 months

Any incidence of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs in past 30 days

Number of days of drug use (T1)30 days

Number of days of drug use in past 30 days

Number of events of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs (T0)Baseline

Number of events of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs in past 30 days

Number of days of drug use (T0)Baseline

Number of days of drug use in past 30 days

Number of days of drug use (T2)3 months

Number of days of drug use in past 30 days

SBIRT use (IP)During the 12-month implementation phase

Number/proportion of providers in each clinic using SBIRT (implementation phase)

SBIRT use (SP)During the 12-month sustainment phase

Number/proportion of clinics and of providers in each clinic using SBIRT (sustainment phase)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of events of regretted/nonconsensual sex and sexual violence (T2)3 months

Number of events of non-consensual sex, regretted sex, or sexual violence in past 30 days

AUDIT-C score (T1)30 days

Score on screening measure for risky drinking; adjusted to past 30 days.

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) is a brief alcohol screening instrument that reliably identifies persons who are hazardous drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence). The AUDIT-C is a modified version of the 10 question AUDIT instrument. The AUDIT-C has 3 questions and is scored on a scale of 0-12. Each AUDIT-C question has 5 answer choices valued from 0 points to 4 points. In men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive, optimal for identifying hazardous drinking or active alcohol use disorders. In women, a score of 3 or more is considered positive. Generally, the higher the score, the more likely it is that a person's drinking is affecting his or her safety.

Anxiety score (T1)30 days

Score on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, which measures anxiety severity. Each item is scored on a scale of 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety based on past 14 days. A score of 0-4 is classified as minimal anxiety, 5-9 as mild anxiety, 10-14 as moderate anxiety, and as 15-21 severe anxiety.

Days of binge drinking (T1)30 days

Number of days of binge drinking (defined as 4 or more drinks) in past 30 days

Days of binge drinking (T2)3 months

Number of days of binge drinking (defined as 4 or more drinks) in past 30 days

General self-reported health (T1)30 days

Likert rating of general self-reported health in past 30 days

AUDIT-C score (T0)Baseline

Score on screening measure for risky drinking; adjusted to past 30 days.

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) is a brief alcohol screening instrument that reliably identifies persons who are hazardous drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence). The AUDIT-C is a modified version of the 10 question AUDIT instrument. The AUDIT-C has 3 questions and is scored on a scale of 0-12. Each AUDIT-C question has 5 answer choices valued from 0 points to 4 points. In men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive, optimal for identifying hazardous drinking or active alcohol use disorders. In women, a score of 3 or more is considered positive. Generally, the higher the score, the more likely it is that a person's drinking is affecting his or her safety.

AUDIT-C score (T2)3 months

Score on screening measure for risky drinking; adjusted to past 30 days.

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) is a brief alcohol screening instrument that reliably identifies persons who are hazardous drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence). The AUDIT-C is a modified version of the 10 question AUDIT instrument. The AUDIT-C has 3 questions and is scored on a scale of 0-12. Each AUDIT-C question has 5 answer choices valued from 0 points to 4 points. In men, a score of 4 or more is considered positive, optimal for identifying hazardous drinking or active alcohol use disorders. In women, a score of 3 or more is considered positive. Generally, the higher the score, the more likely it is that a person's drinking is affecting his or her safety.

BIOS score (1)During the 6-month preparation phase

Each provider's score on the first 10 items of the Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS) on the last observation conducted during provider training. Scores can range from 0-10, with higher scores indicating better performance.

General self-reported health (T0)Baseline

Likert rating of general self-reported health in past 30 days

General self-reported health (T2)3 months

Likert rating of general self-reported health in past 30 days

Incidence of contraceptive nonuse (T0)Baseline

Any incidence of contraceptive nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

Number of events of condom nonuse (T1)30 days

Number of events of condom nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

Number of events of regretted/nonconsensual sex and sexual violence (T0)Baseline

Number of events of non-consensual sex, regretted sex, or sexual violence in past 30 days

Anxiety score (T0)Baseline

Score on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, which measures anxiety severity. Each item is scored on a scale of 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety based on past 14 days. A score of 0-4 is classified as minimal anxiety, 5-9 as mild anxiety, 10-14 as moderate anxiety, and as 15-21 severe anxiety.

Anxiety score (T2)3 months

Score on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, which measures anxiety severity. Each item is scored on a scale of 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety based on past 14 days. A score of 0-4 is classified as minimal anxiety, 5-9 as mild anxiety, 10-14 as moderate anxiety, and as 15-21 severe anxiety.

BIOS score (2)During the 6-month preparation phase

Each provider's score on the 11th item of the Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS) on the last observation conducted during provider training. Scores can range from 1-7, with higher scores indicating better performance.

Days of alcohol use (T0)Baseline

Number of days of alcohol use in past 30 days

Days of alcohol use (T1)30 days

Number of days of alcohol use in past 30 days

Days of alcohol use (T2)3 months

Number of days of alcohol use in past 30 days

Incidence of contraceptive nonuse (T2)3 months

Any incidence of contraceptive nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

Number of events of contraceptive nonuse (T2)3 months

Number of events of contraceptive nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

Days of binge drinking (T0)Baseline

Number of days of binge drinking (defined as 4 or more drinks) in past 30 days

Incidence of condom nonuse (T0)Baseline

Any incidence of condom nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

Incidence of contraceptive nonuse (T1)30 days

Any incidence of contraceptive nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

DAST-10 score (T2)3 months

Score on the 10-item version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10); adjusted to 30 days.

The DAST-10 assesses drug use (not including alcohol and tobacco use) and yields a quantitative index of the degree of consequences related to drug abuse. A score of 0 is classified as no problems reported, 1-2 as a low level of problems related to drug abuse, 3-5 as moderate, 6-8 as substantial, and 9-10 as severe.

Patients screened (IP)During the 12-month implementation phase

Percent of patients out of all patients seen who are screened during the implementation phase (IP)

Well-being score (T0)Baseline

Score on the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), a five-item scale that measures subjective psychological well-being in past 14 days. Scores range from 0-5, with 0 representing the worst possible and 25 representing the best possible quality of life.

Well-being score (T1)30 days

Score on the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), a five-item scale that measures subjective psychological well-being in past 14 days. Scores range from 0-5, with 0 representing the worst possible and 25 representing the best possible quality of life.

Past or current receipt of substance use treatment or services (T0)Baseline

Number of days/times the participant received treatment or counseling for alcohol or drugs or attended a self-help/mutual support meeting in past 30 days

Incidence of condom nonuse (T1)30 days

Any incidence of condom nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

Incidence of condom nonuse (T2)3 months

Any incidence of condom nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

Incidence of regretted/nonconsensual sex and sexual violence (T0)Baseline

Any incidence of non-consensual sex, regretted sex, or sexual violence in past 30 days

Incidence of regretted/nonconsensual sex and sexual violence (T1)30 days

Any incidence of non-consensual sex, regretted sex, or sexual violence in past 30 days

DAST-10 score (T1)30 days

Score on the 10-item version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10); adjusted to 30 days.

The DAST-10 assesses drug use (not including alcohol and tobacco use) and yields a quantitative index of the degree of consequences related to drug abuse. A score of 0 is classified as no problems reported, 1-2 as a low level of problems related to drug abuse, 3-5 as moderate, 6-8 as substantial, and 9-10 as severe.

Incidence of regretted/nonconsensual sex and sexual violence (T2)3 months

Any incidence of non-consensual sex, regretted sex, or sexual violence in past 30 days

DAST-10 score (T0)Baseline

Score on the 10-item version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10); adjusted to 30 days.

The DAST-10 assesses drug use (not including alcohol and tobacco use) and yields a quantitative index of the degree of consequences related to drug abuse. A score of 0 is classified as no problems reported, 1-2 as a low level of problems related to drug abuse, 3-5 as moderate, 6-8 as substantial, and 9-10 as severe.

Number of events of condom nonuse (T0)Baseline

Number of events of condom nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

Number of events of condom nonuse (T2)3 months

Number of events of condom nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

Number of events of contraceptive nonuse (T1)30 days

Number of events of contraceptive nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

Number of events of regretted/nonconsensual sex and sexual violence (T1)30 days

Number of events of non-consensual sex, regretted sex, or sexual violence in past 30 days

Patients receiving referral (SP)During the 12-month sustainment phase

Percent of patients who screen at a severe level of alcohol use, who receive a referral during the sustainment phase (SP)

Patients screened (SP)During the 12-month sustainment phase

Percent of patients out of all patients seen who are screened during the sustainment phase (SP)

Quality of life score (T0)Baseline

Score on the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, which measures physical and mental health functioning in past 30 days. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better physical and mental health functioning.

Number of events of contraceptive nonuse (T0)Baseline

Number of events of contraceptive nonuse monogamous encounters among women not intending pregnancy in past 30 days

SBIRT knowledgeDuring the 6-month preparation phase

Score on University of Missouri-Kansas City Screening \& Brief Intervention Knowledge Assessment. Will b be completed by providers undergoing training in SBIRT. Scores range from 0-20, with higher scores indicating more knowledge of SBIRT.

Patients receiving referral (IP)During the 12-month implementation phase

Percent of patients who screen at a severe level of alcohol use, who receive a referral during the implementation phase (IP)

Quality of life score (T2)3 months

Score on the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, which measures physical and mental health functioning in past 30 days. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better physical and mental health functioning.

STI incidence (T2)3 months

Any incidence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in past 30 days

Unintended pregnancy (T2)3 months

Any incidence of unintended pregnancy in past 30 days

Quality of life score (T1)30 days

Score on the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, which measures physical and mental health functioning in past 30 days. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better physical and mental health functioning.

Unintended pregnancy (T0)Baseline

Any incidence of unintended pregnancy in past 30 days

Unintended pregnancy (T1)30 days

Any incidence of unintended pregnancy in past 30 days

STI incidence (T0)Baseline

Any incidence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in past 30 days

STI incidence (T1)30 days

Any incidence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in past 30 days

Well-being score (T2)3 months

Score on the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), a five-item scale that measures subjective psychological well-being in past 14 days. Scores range from 0-5, with 0 representing the worst possible and 25 representing the best possible quality of life.

Past or current receipt of substance use treatment or services (T1)30 days

Number of days/times the participant received treatment or counseling for alcohol or drugs or attended a self-help/mutual support meeting in past 30 days

Past or current receipt of substance use treatment or services (T2)3 months

Number of days/times the participant received treatment or counseling for alcohol or drugs or attended a self-help/mutual support meeting in past 30 days

Trial Locations

Locations (4)

Central Massachusetts Health Center

🇺🇸

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Greater Boston Health Center

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Metro West Health Center

🇺🇸

Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States

Western Massachusetts Health Center

🇺🇸

Springfield, Massachusetts, United States

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