Prevention of alcohol and other drug use using motivational interviewing among young adults in the Ukraine

Background World Health Organization data shows alarming rates of alcohol consumption among those ages 15 and older in the Ukraine. This study examined the feasibility and initial efficacy of a brief intervention to reduce risky drinking among emerging adults (ages 18-25) in the Ukraine. Methods Emerging adults presenting to two settings were screened for risky drinking (Railway Clinical Hospital and Kiev National Medical University), with those screening positive on the AUDIT-C (>5) enrolled in the study: 59 participants from the hospital setting (mean age = 22.6 (2.1), 55.9% male) and 61 participants from the university setting (mean age = 20.1(2.3), 55.7% male). After self-administering a computerized baseline assessment, participants were randomized to receive an in-person brief intervention with telephone booster or to a control condition; participants self-administered a computerized follow-up at 3 months. Results Regression analyses were conducted, separately for each setting, predicting alcohol outcomes (alcohol consumption and consequences); models controlled for baseline alcohol levels and condition assignment (brief intervention or control). In both settings, the brief intervention group showed significantly less alcohol consumption and consequences at 3-months as compared to the control group (p<.001); however, the groups did not significantly differ on other drug use (DAST-10 score). Conclusion Findings suggest that brief motivational interventions are promising for reducing risky drinking among emerging adults in the Ukraine in both inpatient hospital and university settings. Future studies are needed to replicate these findings and extend these effects to reduce other drug use among young people in the Ukraine.