Identification infrastructure gaps to address youth alcohol use in Hawaii

Background Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to be sexually active, use other substances, and have violent behavior. To affect broader change, infrastructure is required. Our objective is to report the current alcohol prevention and treatment infrastructure in the State and Counties of Hawaii. Methods Capacity and Infrastructure Assessment Survey identified gaps in infrastructure. Participants (N=39, State; N= 100, Hawaii County; N=126, Honolulu County; N=107, Kauai County; N=112, Maui County) rated their county or state on a) the importance and b) the current status of items in the following areas: Organization (O), Effectiveness (E), Workforce Skills (W), Funding (F), Cultural Competency (CC), and Sustainability (S). Average gap scores (importance-status) were calculated for each area and paired t-tests between areas were calculated (all p<0.05 for all). Results In the State of Hawaii, O,W < E, F, CC, S. In both Maui and Hawaii Counties O, W < E, F, S. For Kauai County O < E, F; W < E. In Honolulu County W, O < E, F; CC < E, S. Discussion Results revealed consistencies and some differences across the different counties in Hawaii. Implications are that underage alcohol use in Hawaii should be addressed by improving capacity and infrastructure in the areas of effectiveness, funding, sustainability, and cultural competency across counties.

Supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration awarded the Hawaii Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division. We acknowledge the County Advisory Committees' and the State Advisory Committee's data collection.