Evaluation of an SMS Based Alcohol Intervention for Same Sex Attracted Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial (Trial registration ID: redacted) was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the Step One program, an SMS-based alcohol intervention for same-sex attracted women (SSAW).

Methods

Ninety-seven SSAW who scored ≥8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were randomly allocated to receive the Step One program (n = 47; mean age = 36.79) or a weekly message containing a link to a website with health information and support services for LGBT individuals (n = 50; mean age = 34.08). Participants completed questionnaires on alcohol use, wellbeing, and help-seeking at baseline (T1), intervention completion (T2; 4 wk after baseline) and 12 wk post-intervention (T3). In addition, participants in the intervention condition completed feasibility and accessibility measures at T2, and a subsample (n = 10) was interviewed about acceptability at T3.

Results

Across conditions, participants significantly reduced their alcohol intake and improved their wellbeing and help-seeking over time. However, there were no significant differences between the intervention and control condition. Furthermore, frequency of help-seeking was low; only four intervention group participants and three control group participants began accessing support between T1 and T3. Overall, our findings indicate the intervention would benefit from revision prior to implementation.

Conclusions

Our approach was consistent with best practice in the development of an ecologically valid intervention; however, this intervention, in its current form, lacks the complexity desired by its users to optimally facilitate alcohol reduction among SSAW. Keywords: Alcohol intervention; Intervention mapping framework; Randomized controlled trial (RCT); Same-sex attracted women; Short-message service (SMS).

Keywords:

• Alcohol intervention
• Intervention mapping framework
• Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
• Same-sex attracted women
• Short-message service (SMS)

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Thorne Harbour Health, Queerspace, Switchboard (Vic), Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria, PFlag Australia, LOTL, Out in Perth, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association, Matrix Guild, AIDS Action Council, ShineSA, Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT, Touchbase, Gippsland Women’s health, Pink Sofa, ACON, Turning Point, Womens Health Victoria, QLife, Australian Womens Health Network, Australian Lesbian Medical Association, for helping with recruitment of participants into the study. Importantly we would like to thank the individuals who participated in this study and for their valuable feedback.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1 The current paper reports on the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy based on primary outcomes and, as such, only the relevant measures are included below.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by an Industry Research Scholarship from Deakin University in collaboration with Turning Point, Australia. The opinions expressed in this article are the authors’ own and do not reflect the view of the funding organizations.