Utilization of information and communication technology (ICT) among sexually transmitted disease clinics attendees with coexisting drinking problems

BMC Research Notes

Robert L Cook³  James C Oliverio⁴  Virginia J Dodd¹  Xingdi Hu² 

[1] Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA;Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA;College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA;Digital Worlds Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

关键词: Digital divide;    Video games;    Internet;    Email;    Cell phone;    Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs);    Substance abuse;    Hazardous drinking;    Information and communication technology (ICT);   

Others  :  1134168
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-0500-7-178

 received in 2013-03-31, accepted in 2014-03-20,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Alcohol misuse remains a major risk factor for contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) not typically addressed in STD clinic settings. Information and communication technology (ICT) can offer new avenues to deliver evidence-based screening and treatment for problematic drinking, however, few data exists regarding the utilization of ICT among STD clinic attendees with coexisting drinking problems. The objectives of this study are to identify STD clinics attendees with hazardous drinking, to examine socio-demographic factors associated with ICT use, and to explore individuals’ interests in engaging in ICT-based health interventions.

Methods

Cross-sectional questionnaires examining alcohol consumption and ICT use were administered to 396 persons attending two non-urban STD clinics. Descriptive statistics for ICT use were calculated for both hazardous drinkers and the entire sample. Multivariable logistic regression models among hazardous drinkers identified factors significantly associated with use of each kind of ICT.

Results

The mean age of the 396 participants was 25 years, 66% were females and 60% were African-Americans. One third of the sample met the criteria of hazardous drinking. ICT use in hazardous drinkers included 94% reporting having internet access at least monthly, 82% reporting having an email account, 85% reporting currently owning a cell phone, and 91% reporting use of any cell phone application. More than two thirds (73%) of hazardous drinkers were willing to play health-related video games during clinic waiting time, slightly higher than the entire sample (69%). Multivariable analyses indicated that younger age were significantly related to monthly internet use, and multifunction cell phone use, while being males and younger age were significantly associated with monthly video game playing.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates commonality of ICT use among STD clinic attendees with hazardous drinking, indicating the viability of using ICT to assist screening and behavioural intervention for alcohol misuse in STD clinic settings. Future research is needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of ICT-based health behavioural interventions in the STD clinic settings or other venues that serve populations at high risk for substance abuse, HIV or other STDs.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Hu et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 参考文献 】

• [1]Hutton HE, McCaul ME, Chander G, Jenckes MW, Nollen C, Sharp VL, Erbelding EJ: Alcohol Use, anal Sex, and other risky sexual behaviors among HIV-infected women and Men. AIDS Behav 2013, 17(5):1694-1704.
• [2]Cook RL, Clark DB: Is there an association between alcohol consumption and sexually transmitted diseases? A systematic review. Sex Transm Dis 2005, 32:156-164.
• [3]Cooper ML: Alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among college students and youth: evaluating the evidence. J Stud Alcohol Suppl 2002, 14:101.
• [4]Celum CL, Bolan G, Krone M, Code K, Leone P, Spaulding C, Henry K, Clarke P, Smith M, Hook EW 3rd: Patients attending STD clinics in an evolving health care environment. Demographics, insurance coverage, preferences for STD services, and STD morbidity. Sex Transm Dis 1997, 24:599-605.
• [5]Kalichman SC, Cain D, Zweben A, Swain G: Sensation seeking, alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors among men receiving services at a clinic for sexually transmitted infections. J Stud Alcohol 2003, 64:564-569.
• [6]Zenilman JM, Hook EW 3rd, Shepherd M, Smith P, Rompalo AM, Celentano DD: Alcohol and other substance use in STD clinic patients: relationships with STDs and prevalent HIV infection. Sex Transm Dis 1994, 21:220-225.
• [7]Cook RL, Comer DM, Wiesenfeld HC, Chang C-CH, Tarter R, Lave JR, Clark DB: Alcohol and drug use and related disorders: an underrecognized health issue among adolescents and young adults attending sexually transmitted disease clinics. Sex Transm Dis 2006, 33:565-570.
• [8]Carroll KM, Ball SA, Martino S, Nich C, Babuscio TA, Nuro KF, Gordon MA, Portnoy GA, Rounsaville BJ: Computer-assisted delivery of cognitive-behavioral therapy for addiction: a randomized trial of CBT4CBT. Am J Psychiatry 2008, 165:881-888.
• [9]Marsch LA, Bickel WK, Grabinski MJ: Application of interactive, computer technology to adolescent substance abuse prevention and treatment. Adolesc Med State Art Rev 2007, 18:342-356. xii
• [10]Bickel WK, Christensen DR, Marsch LA: A review of computer-based interventions used in the assessment, treatment, and research of drug addiction. Subst Use Misuse 2011, 46:4-9.
• [11]Rooke S, Thorsteinsson E, Karpin A, Copeland J, Allsop D: Computer-delivered interventions for alcohol and tobacco use: a meta-analysis. Addiction 2010, 105:1381-1390.
• [12]Samal L, Hutton HE, Erbelding EJ, Brandon ES, Finkelstein J, Chander G: Digital divide: variation in internet and cellular phone use among women attending an urban sexually transmitted infections clinic. J Urban Health 2010, 87:122-128.
• [13]Mark KE, Wald A, Drolette L, Golden MR: Internet and email use among STD clinic patients. Sex Transm Dis 2008, 35:960-965.
• [14]Reid MC, Fiellin DA, O’Connor PG: Hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption in primary care. Arch Intern Med 1999, 159:1681-1689.
• [15]Cook RL, Chung T, Kelly TM, Clark DB: Alcohol screening in young persons attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic. Comparison of AUDIT, CRAFFT, and CAGE instruments. J Gen Intern Med 2005, 20:1-6.
• [16]Naimi TS, Brewer RD, Mokdad A, Denny C, Serdula MK, Marks JS: Binge drinking among US adults. JAMA 2003, 289:70-75.
• [17]Kypri K, McCambridge J, Vater T, Bowe SJ, Saunders JB, Cunningham JA, Horton NJ: Web-based alcohol intervention for Māori university students: double-blind, multi-site randomized controlled trial. Addiction 2013, 108:331-338.
• [18]McClure EA, Acquavita SP, Harding E, Stitzer ML: Utilization of communication technology by patients enrolled in substance abuse treatment. Drug Alcohol Depend 2013, 129:145-150.
• [19]Krishna S, Boren SA, Balas EA: Healthcare via cell phones: a systematic review. Telemed J E Health 2009, 15:231-240.