Role of Acculturation and Birth Place among Hispanics on Drinking Outcomes Following Brief Intervention in the Trauma Care Setting

Background: In a study of brief intervention in the trauma care setting, Hispanics receiving brief intervention based on motivational interviewing were significantly more likely to reduce their drinking. Consequently, we hypothesized that birth place and level of acculturation may moderate the effectiveness of brief intervention among Hispanics. Methods: A randomized controlled trial of brief intervention based on motivational interviewing and semi-structured interview was conducted in an urban level I trauma center. Among the patients recruited for this study were 537 Hispanics including 253 Spanish speaking only participants. Six and 12 month follow ups were completed with a 65% and 53% follow up rate, respectively. Hierarchical Linear Modeling was used to evaluate the role of acculturation and birth place among Hispanics on drinking outcomes including volume per week, maximum amount consumed in one day, frequency of five or more per occasion, percent days abstinent and percent days heavy drinking. Results: No significant interactions between treatment and acculturation or place of birth were observed (p>.50). However, Hispanics born in the US had smaller reductions in volume per week (â=.7, SE=.3, p<.01) and maximum amount consumed in one day (â=.6, SE=.2, p<.01). Hispanics with low acculturation, had larger decreases in average volume per week (â=-.9, SE=.3, p<.01), maximum amount consumed in one day (â=-.5, SE=.2, p<.05) and frequency of five or more per occasion (â=-.7, SE=.3, o<.05). Conclusions: Birth place and acculturation did not influence the effectiveness of brief intervention among Hispanics. However, place of birth and acculturation influenced drinking outcomes.