Effects of a brief intervention on alcohol consumption and heavy episodic drinking among university students in Colombia. Results of a randomized controlled trial

Background Excessive alcohol consumption is a problem among university students. This study explored the effects of a personalized online, two-session prevention program based on Motivational Interviewing IBEM-U (Brief Motivational Interviewing for University Students).Method We conducted a randomized controlled trial with Colombian university students (n = 828). Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0), 3 (T1), and 9 (T2) months later. Analyses included negative binomial, logistic, and linear regression. The trial was registered at www.osf.io (https://archive.org/details/osf-registrations-prns4-v1).Results At T1, Binge Drinking (BD= 5+ standard drinks) decreased significantly in the intervention group, from 42.8% to 34.9%, compared to the control group, which increased from 41.5% to 48.9%. At T2, Heavy Episodic Drinking (HED = 10+ standard drinks) decreased significantly in the intervention group, from 20.5% to 15.1% compared to the control group, which increased from 21.6% to 23.9%. Knowledge, attitudes, risk perception, and self-efficacy increased significantly compared to the control group.Conclusion IBEM-U resulted in a significant reduction in BD and HED, but not in the number of standard drinks. Changes in knowledge, risk perception, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to HED were observed. Hence, IBEM-U may be a helpful intervention to impact BD and HED.