Mobile Phone-Based Motivational Interviewing in Kenya

Mobile Phone-Based Motivational Interviewing to Reduce Alcohol Use Problems in Kenya

The primary objective of this study was to test whether motivational interviewing (MI) provided over the mobile phone would reduce alcohol use among adults, including people living with HIV/AIDS, visiting primary care in Kenya. Heavy alcohol users voluntarily consented to being randomized to one of three study arms: standard in-person MI, mobile MI, or waitlist control receiving no intervention for 1 month followed by mobile MI. Alcohol use problems were assessed using validated screeners and changes in alcohol use were assessed at 1 month and 6 months after receiving the intervention. The investigators hypothesized that alcohol use would reduce after MI treatment compared to waitlist control, there would be no difference between standard in-person MI and mobile MI, and these reductions would be sustained out to six months following the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults visiting the primary care clinic and screening positive for potential alcohol use problems.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Persons younger than 18 years old, with severe psychiatric morbidity, or cognitive impairment were not eligible for the study