Addressing alcohol use among blood pressure patients in Thai primary care: Lessons from a survey-based stakeholder consultation
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
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 crosssectional, 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.
Description
Keywords
Hypertension Primary Health Care Alcohol use Lifestyle intervention Screening and brief intervention Stakeholder survey Thailand