Improving Primary Care for Hypertension and Alcohol Problems in Thailand

This Planning and Dissemination Grant under the lead of Independent Scientist Charlotte Probst brought together international researchers from Thailand, Germany, Canada (including IMHPR scientists Dr. Bundit Sornpaisarn and Dr. Jürgen Rehm) and the United States, content experts, and Thai stakeholders, to generate a shared understanding of the advantages and potential barriers of implementing screening and brief intervention for alcohol use as a measure to reduce high blood pressure in the primary health care setting in Thailand. Earlier this year 91 individuals across three stakeholder groups were surveyed (policy- and decision-makers, health care practitioners, and patients). The analysis of the data identified areas of agreement and disagreement between stakeholders in their initial perspectives on current practice, research priorities, feasibility, and aspects of study implementation. A wide range of stakeholders recognized the potential of interventions targeting risky alcohol use among hypertensive patients. Identified barriers included limited resources in primary healthcare facilities, lack of continuous monitoring or follow-up, missing tools or procedures for risk assessment and counseling, and stigmatization of alcohol use. The outcomes of the project will be published in a synthesis report for dissemination among stakeholders and in peer-reviewed publications that are currently being prepared.