Initial results of the preventive ÍcaroAlcohol Programme

Abstract

Harmful alcohol consumption among young people is a public health problem that needs important measures. Interventions in emergency department cases, such as crisis action, could be effective. The initial results of the Icaro-Alcohol Program (detection of young people under 22 years attended in the emergency department for alcohol consumption, a Brief Motivational Intervention (BMI) and referral to a prevention reference service (PRS) and prevention programs) are presented. The program objective is to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

Río Hortega University Hospital (HURH), Clínico Hospital (HCUV) and Medical Emergency Units (MEUs) were involved in the study developed in the city of Valladolid (Castilla y León, Spain). Training in program implementation was given to 53.8% of professionals (n=27) (73.3% HURH vs 45.6% HCUV), while 17.4% (n=41) were trained to develop BMI in the critical situation derived from the emergency (26.7% HURH vs 12.6% HCUV).

A total of 93 cases were treated by the hospital emergency services, and all the cases treated by the MEUs were referred to the hospital, between June and December 2017. There were 49 urgent cases, and interventions were carried out in 21 of them (43%). Afterwards, 8 cases were referred to the PRS (38% of 21 intervened; 16% of the total number of cases). Interventions and referrals were greater in the hospital with more trained professionals. The older youth cases arrived last at night. They had other health problems associated and were less likely to agree to referral. The referral times to indicated prevention programs were met, but not to universal and selective programs.

The action protocol is improved by focusing on children under 18, simplifying consent, improving BMI training, simplifying the intervention of professionals and carrying out individual preventive intervention from the PRSs immediately. The program will be implemented progressively in the rest of the provinces in Castilla y León.