Group Intervention by Primary Care Physicians on Heavy Drinkers: A 1-Year Follow-up Study.
10.4082/kjfm.2010.31.11.845
- Author:
Chul Young LIM
1
;
Jong Sung KIM
;
Sung Soo KIM
;
Jin Gyu JUNG
;
Nam Kyou BAE
;
Sun Hee LEE
;
Tae Geun CHOI
;
Jung Ha KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. jskim@cnuh.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Group Intervention;
Drinking;
Heavy Drinker;
Family Physician
- MeSH:
Drinking;
Drinking Behavior;
Family Characteristics;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Male;
Physicians, Family;
Physicians, Primary Care;
Primary Health Care
- From:Korean Journal of Family Medicine
2010;31(11):845-851
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of group intervention by primary care physicians on the changes of drinking behaviors in Korean heavy drinkers. METHODS: A total of 32 male heavy drinkers participated in group intervention by family physicians of Chungnam National University Hospital. Initially, they were assessed for general characteristics, family function and drinking characteristics prior to the intervention conducted 4 times (about 40 minutes/each session). Reassessment on their drinking frequencies (times/week), drinking amounts (drinks/drinking day) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score was achieved at directly, at 12 weeks and at 1 year after intervention. RESULTS: The mean drinking frequency was significantly (P < 0.01) decreased from 5.2 +/- 1.7 before to 3.5 +/- 2.4 at directly, 3.9 +/- 2.3 at 12 weeks and 4.0 +/- 2.3 at 1 year after intervention. The mean drinking amounts were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased from 17.0 +/- 16.5 before to 11.0 +/- 16.9 at directly, 14.2 +/- 17.8 at 12 weeks and 13.9 +/- 17.8 at 1 year after intervention. The mean AUDIT score was significantly (P < 0.01) decreased from 29.4 +/- 5.8 before to 19.1 +/- 11.0 at directly, 21.8 +/- 9.1 at 12 weeks and 23.0 +/- 9.4 at 1 year after intervention. The number of heavy drinkers and binge drinkers were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased from 32 (100%) and 32 (100%) before to 20 (62.5%) and 22 (68.8%) at directly, 23 (71.9%) and 24 (75.0%) at 12 weeks, and 22 (68.8%) and 19 (59.4%) at 1 year after intervention. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that group intervention by family physicians may be effective on the improvement of drinking behavior at 12 weeks and 1 year after the intervention in heavy drinkers.
