Addressing alcohol use among blood pressure patients in Thai primary care: Lessons from a survey-based stakeholder consultation

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Julia M. Lemp - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Supa Pengpid - , Mahidol University, University of Limpopo (Author)
  • Doungjai Buntup - , Mahidol University (Author)
  • Till W. Bärnighausen - , Heidelberg University , Harvard University, Africa Health Research Institute (Author)
  • Pascal Geldsetzer - , Stanford University, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub (Author)
  • Karl Peltzer - , University of Limpopo, Asia University Taiwan (Author)
  • Jürgen Rehm - , Chair of Behavioral Epidemiology, TUD Dresden University of Technology, University of Toronto, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Author)
  • Bundit Sornpaisarn - , University of Toronto, Mahidol University (Author)
  • Charlotte Probst - , Heidelberg University , University of Toronto (Author)

Abstract

Alcohol use is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases in Thailand, and one of its pathways is high blood pressure. Given that brief intervention can effectively reduce hazardous alcohol consumption, this study aimed to investigate how hypertensive patients with concomitant alcohol use are identified and treated in Thai primary care settings and what this may mean for screening and lifestyle intervention strategies. In a cross-sectional, mixed-method design, we surveyed 91 participants from three different groups of Thai stakeholders: policy- and decisionmakers; healthcare practitioners; and patients diagnosed with hypertension. Data was collected between December 2020 and May 2021. Responses were analyzed descriptively and using open coding tools to identify current practices, barriers, facilitators, and implications for interventions. All stakeholder groups regarded alcohol use as an important driver of hypertension. While lifestyle interventions among hypertensive patients were perceived as beneficial, current lifestyle support was limited. Barriers included limited resources in primary healthcare facilities, lack of continuous monitoring or follow-up, missing tools or procedures for risk assessment and lifestyle intervention, and stigmatization of alcohol use. Our results suggest that although screening for lifestyle risk factors (including alcohol use) and lifestyle interventions are not yet sufficiently established, a wide range of stakeholders still recognize the potential of interventions targeted at hazardous alcohol use among hypertensive patients. Future interventions may establish standardized assessment tools, be tailored to high-risk groups, and include electronic or remote elements.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number101954
JournalPreventive Medicine Reports
Volume29
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • Alcohol use, Hypertension, Lifestyle intervention, Primary Health Care, Screening and brief intervention, Stakeholder survey, Thailand