Efectiveness and cost-efectiveness of a transdiagnostic intervention targeting alcohol misuse and psychological distress for men in Ukraine : study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
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Date
2025
Authors
Van Der Boor, Catharina
Kachai, Vita
Harbar, Kateryna
Pastukhova, Alona
Neuman, Melissa
Weiss, Helen A.
Greco, Giulia
Carl, May
Nadkarni, Abhijit
Roberts, Bayard
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Abstract
Background. Ukraine has experienced armed conflict since 2014, with significant escalation in 2022. Since then, an estimated 3.7 million people have been internally displaced. Alcohol misuse remains a substantial public health challenge in Ukraine, with high levels of psychological distress among the displaced population. The current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a transdiagnostic intervention (CHANGE) to address alcohol misuse and psychological distress through problem-solving therapy and selected behavioural strategies for managing alcohol misuse. We hypothesize that CHANGE, together with enhanced usual care (EUC), will be more effective in increasing the percentage of days abstinent (PDA) than EUC alone. Methods. This study is a parallel-arm, single-blind, individually randomised controlled trial across Ukraine government-controlled territories. Following informed consent, we will recruit 500 adult war-affected men, randomised 1:1 to EUC and CHANGE, or EUC alone. Inclusion criteria include elevated levels of alcohol use (between 8 and 19, inclusive, on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test); psychological distress (≥ 16 on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) and ability to speak Ukrainian or Russian. CHANGE will be delivered over 6 weeks by 14 community-based facilitators, with outcomes assessed at 3 months post-randomisation. The primary outcome for CHANGE is the PDA from alcohol at 3 months, measured using the Timeline Follow Back. Secondary outcomes include percentage days of heavy drinking, alcohol misuse, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder), functional disability, intimate partner violence perpetration and health economics indicators at 3 months. The primary analysis will follow an intention-to-treat approach. A mixed-methods process evaluation will examine facilitator competency, recruitment, retention/completion, appropriateness, dose received, fidelity and feasibility of delivery and acceptability. Discussion. CHANGE is the first intervention aiming to address alcohol misuse and psychological distress in an active conflict setting.
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Keywords
conflict, alcohol, mental distress, scalable interventions, randomised controlled trial, article
Citation
Efectiveness and cost-efectiveness of a transdiagnostic intervention targeting alcohol misuse and psychological distress for men in Ukraine : study protocol for a randomised controlled trial / Catharina F. van der Boor, Vita Kachai, Kateryna Harbar, Alona Pastukhova, Melissa Neuman, Helen A. Weiss, Giulia Greco, Carl May, Abhijit Nadkarni, Bayard Roberts, Sergiy Bogdanov and Daniela C. Fuhr // Trials. - 2025. - Vol. 26. - Article number 396. - https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-025-09143-8