Sustained Intervention Effects on Older Adults' Attitudes Towards Alcohol and Medication Interactions.

BACKGROUND

Older adults are at risk for experiencing alcohol and medication interactions (AMI) given concomitant alcohol and medication use. However, there have been limited efforts to develop and evaluate AMI prevention interventions.

PURPOSE

The current study examined sustained intervention effects on older adults' attitudes, awareness, and intentions regarding AMI.

METHODS

A sample of N = 134 older adults completed assessments before and after exposure to AMI risk educational materials (Times 1 and 2). N = 97 participants (72%) were reached for a three-month follow-up phone call (Time 3).

RESULTS

There was a positive linear trend over time in the number of identified AMI side effects. While knowledge of intervention messages remained high and stable over time, quadratic trends for perceived importance of AMI messages indicated positive short-term effects that did not sustain over time. Few differences by drinking status were found.

DISCUSSION

This intervention had positive short-term effects on AMI awareness, intentions, and perceived messaging importance, but these short-term effects were only maintained over time for awareness.

TRANSLATION TO HEALTH EDUCATION PRACTICE

This study provides Certified Health Education Specialists with a model for planning and evaluating a brief intervention to prevent AMI among older adults.