The proliferation of internet-enabled mobile phones provides a novel means of moving tailored alcohol interventions into the real world, where and when binge drinking occurs, at a population level. We are developing an innovative intervention to use mobile phones to reduce binge drinking.
This participatory research project aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile phone based intervention delivered during drinking events in young people.
Completed
The intervention involves hourly mobile assessment and feedback. During a night out, participants will receive hourly SMS (text message) reminders to complete a very brief online questionnaire accessed via the SMS. The questionnaire will collect hourly reports of their alcohol consumption and spending, location and mood.
In response to these data they will receive an individually tailored feedback message via SMS which aims to stop or slow down their drinking or avoid harmful consequences of drinking.
The intervention design and content have been developed and piloted with young people using a theory-driven participatory approach. Participants piloted the intervention on an actual night out, while drinking. Response rates in the pilot were high (89% of hourly questionnaires completed) and participants gave very positive feedback about the intervention. In early 2015, we received a VicHealth Innovation Research Grant to conduct a trial with 300 young people to test the impact of the intervention on binge drinking.
Funding
Partners
- ANPHA Preventive Health Research Fellowship
Project
Team
Meet the project team. Together, we are translating research into better health, for all.
