Efeito das intervenções breves na redução do consumo de álcool em indivíduos portadores do vírus da imunodeficiência humana

Background: Alcohol consumption in individuals with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may influence disease progression due to its influence on therapeutic adherence. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of brief interventions in reducing the risk of alcohol consumption among individuals with HIV. Methodology: Experimental study with a control group. Consecutive sampling. Brief interventions were performed in the experimental group (31 participants) and usual teaching were provided to the control group (27 participants), after application of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A structured questionnaire was also used to characterize the participants. Participants were later assessed at a 4-and 6-month follow up. Results: At baseline, both groups were homogeneous and the final assessment showed statistically significant differences (p=.028) in the risk of alcohol consumption. After the intervention, 2 participants in the experimental group decreased the risk of alcohol consumption from the hazardous risk zone to the low risk zone. Conclusion: Despite borderline significance, brief interventions proved to have a more positive impact than usual teaching in reducing the risk of alcohol consumption.