Improving Alcohol and Substance Use Care Access, Outcome, Equity During the Reproductive Years

July 22, 2025 updated by: Justine Welsh, Emory University

Improving Alcohol and Substance Use Care Access, Outcomes, and Equity During the Reproductive Years: A Type 1 Hybrid Trial in Family Planning Clinics

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of evidence-based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) among adult patients who screen positive to one or more risky alcohol or substance use behaviors while seeking care at a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) clinic.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does SBIRT impact patients' alcohol and substance use, SRH, mental health, physical health, quality of life, and wellbeing?
  • Does SBIRT effectiveness differ by ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, gender, and urbanicity?
  • Does SBIRT effectiveness differ by delivery mode (in-person vs. telemedicine)?

Participants will receive in-person and telemedicine SBIRT, or usual care. Participants will complete surveys at interviews at baseline, 30 days, and 3 months.

Researchers will compare patients who received SBIRT to patients who receive usual care to see if patients who receive the SBIRT intervention have a greater reduction in negative outcomes as compared to those who receive usual care. In this setting, usual care consists of basic quantity and frequency questions asked inconsistently as part of the admission process and varying by provider, with no standardized approach to screening, treatment, follow-up, or referral.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Risky alcohol and drug use are associated with severe, negative, and long-term health outcomes and disparities, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH), among reproductive aged people in the United States. High rates and sequelae of alcohol and drug use disproportionately experienced by structurally marginalized groups shape lifelong health inequities for people of racial/ethnic minority, living in poverty, and residing in under-resourced and under-served communities. Among populations at risk of pregnancy-related sequelae (predominantly those self-identifying as women and thus this study's primary focus), harmful alcohol and substance use and alcohol use disorders (AUDs)/substance use disorders (SUDs) contribute to condom and contraceptive nonuse among those not intending pregnancy, sex while intoxicated, non-consensual sex, violence/rape, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.

Family planning (FP) clinics are uniquely well-suited but entirely untapped sites for implementing and scaling integrated alcohol/substance use services. Largely community-based health centers that are publicly funded and/or serve Medicaid enrollees, FP clinics are a trusted care source and primary access point for reproductive aged women, and a safety net for the most socially disadvantaged groups. Yet few, if any, studies have rigorously evaluated interventions or implementation strategies to accelerate the uptake of alcohol/substance services in FP contexts. In obstetrics and HIV, widespread adoption of evidence-based SBIRT (screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment) is precluded by multi-level barriers; data on specific challenges faced by FP providers are lacking. Virtually nothing is known about telemedicine, which has been rolled out for contraception and other routine visits during the pandemic, as a technological infrastructure for SBIRT. Whether and how the promising strategy of Implementation and Sustainment Facilitation (ISF) can bridge systems barriers and support scale up in FP settings is unknown.

The researchers of this study propose an explanatory, sequential, mixed methods study of alcohol and drug SBIRT in an expansive FP clinic network - a novel and highly impactful setting with a national reach of a diverse and largely structurally disadvantaged population of reproductive-aged women at greatest risk for AUDs/SUDs. The researchers will conduct a randomized Type 1 Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial within a large Northeastern regional affiliate and its four clinics of a national SRH care organization.

Results will inform an evidence-based, innovative, stakeholder-driven FP SBIRT model in response to the high-level calls for integrated women's health care. With concrete guidance for scaling alcohol/ drug services in SRH settings nationally, findings will promote women's health equity across the U.S.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

400

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
        • Recruiting
        • Greater Boston Health Center
      • Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States, 01752
        • Recruiting
        • Metro West Health Center
      • Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, 01107
        • Recruiting
        • Western Massachusetts Health Center
      • Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, 01609
        • Recruiting
        • Central Massachusetts Health Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Over the age of 18 years
  • U.S. residing
  • Have internet access (own a computer or smart phone)
  • Screen positive to one or more risky alcohol and substance use behaviors as determined by our standardized abbreviated instruments

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Not capable of communicating (reading, speaking, writing) in English or Spanish

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
Patients at study clinics who are randomized to receive the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) intervention, which is delivered in-person and through telemedicine.
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based approach supported by national healthcare organizations, including the Preventative Services Task Force and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Validated tools will efficiently screen an individual's substance use risk. Patients who screen in the risky/harmful range then receive a brief motivational interviewing-based intervention adapted from the evidence-based Brief Negotiated Interview, lasting 5-10 minutes, which provides feedback, helps explore health risks, and motivates change. Individuals who screen in the severe category, indicating a likely AUD/SUD, also receive a brief intervention, aimed at increasing motivation to accept a referral to treatment, and requiring a more intensive approach will also receive a warm-hand off referral to specialty addiction treatment. Procedures for SBIRT delivery will be adapted to the flow of telemedicine visits.
No Intervention: Usual Care
Patients at study clinics who are randomized to receive usual care. None of the clinic sites have implemented standardized screening, brief intervention, or referral to treatment components. In this setting, usual care consists of basic quantity and frequency questions asked inconsistently as part of the admission process and varying by provider, with no standardized approach to screening, treatment, follow-up, or referral.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Average Number of Drinks Per Drinking Day
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants are asked to self-report the number of drinks consumed on days when alcohol was consumed, during the past 30 days.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Number of Days of Drug Use
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants are asked to self-report the number of days of drug use in the past 30 days.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Incidence of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Any incidence of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs in past 30 days.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Number of events of sex under influence of alcohol/drugs
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
The number of events of sex while under influence of alcohol/drugs in past 30 days.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a 9-item instrument assessing symptoms of depression during the prior two weeks. Responses are given on a 4-point scale where 0 = not at all and 3 = nearly everyday. Total scores range from 0 to 27 where higher scores indicate greater feelings of depression. Scores of 0 to 4 indicate minimal depression, scores of 5 to 9 indicate mild depression, scores of 10 to 14 indicate moderate depression, scores of 15 to 19 indicate moderately severe depression, and scores of 20 or more indicate severe depression.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Number of Clinic Patients Receiving a Brief Intervention During Implementation Phase
Time Frame: During the 12-month implementation phase
The number of patients in each clinic who screen positive receiving a brief intervention during the implementation phase of the study.
During the 12-month implementation phase
Number of Clinic Patients Receiving a Brief Intervention During Sustainment Phase
Time Frame: During the 12-month sustainment phase
The number of patients in each clinic who screen positive who receive a brief intervention during the sustainment phase of the study.
During the 12-month sustainment phase
Number of Providers Using SBIRT During Implementation Phase
Time Frame: During the 12-month implementation phase
The number of providers in each clinic using SBIRT during the implementation phase.
During the 12-month implementation phase
Number of Clinics Using SBIRT During Sustainment Phase
Time Frame: During the 12-month sustainment phase
The number of clinics using SBIRT during the sustainment phase.
During the 12-month sustainment phase
Number of Providers Using SBIRT During Sustainment Phase
Time Frame: During the 12-month sustainment phase
The number of providers in each clinic using SBIRT during the sustainment phase.
During the 12-month sustainment phase
Number of Completed BIOS Tracking Sheets to Achieve Competency
Time Frame: During the preparation phase
The number of completed Brief Intervention Observation Sheets (BIOS) needed to achieve competency will be examined.
During the preparation phase
Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS) Score
Time Frame: During the 12-month implementation phase
Fidelity to the intervention is assessed as the mean score on the first 10 items of the Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS). The score per provider is determined from a sample of audio recorded brief interventions. Responses to items are recorded as a "yes" or "no" assessment of whether the steps of the brief intervention were completed. The total score is the number of "yes" items and can range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more steps completed.
During the 12-month implementation phase
Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS) Score - Motivational Style
Time Frame: During the 12-month implementation phase
Fidelity to the intervention is assessed as the mean score on the 11th item of the Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS). The score per provider is determined from a sample of audio recorded brief interventions. Item 11 assesses the overall motivational interviewing style used by the provider. Scores are rated on a 7-point scale where 1 = not at all and 7 = very effectively. Higher scores indicate greater motivational interviewing style.
During the 12-month implementation phase

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of Days of Alcohol Use
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants are asked to self-report the number of days they consumed alcohol during the past 30 days.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Number of Days of Binge Drinking
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants are asked to self-report the number of days they consumed 4 or more alcoholic drinks per day during the past 30 days.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) Score
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) is a 3-item alcohol screening instrument that reliably identifies persons who are hazardous drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence). The questionnaire asks about drinking behavior in the past 30 days. Responses to items are given on a 5-point scale where 0 = never and 4 = the highest frequency of alcohol use or consumption per drinking day. Total scores range from 0 (non-drinkers) to 12. Higher scores indicate that a person's alcohol consumption is likely to affect his or her health and safety.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) Score
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) is a 10-item instrument assessing drug use (not including alcohol and tobacco use). Each item is responded to as "yes" or "no" and the total score is the sum of all "yes" responses. Total scores range from 0 to 10 with a score of 0 indicating that no problems are reported and the degree of problems related to drug abuse increase as the total score increases. Scores of 1 or 2 indicate a low level of problems, scores of 3 to 5 indicate a moderate level of problems, scores of 6 to8 indicate substantial levels of problems, and scores of 9 and 10 indicate severe levels of problems related to drug abuse.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Incidence of condom nonuse
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants are asked to report any incidence of condom nonuse monogamous encounters in the past 30 days, among women not intending pregnancy.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Number of events of condom nonuse
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants reporting condom nonuse are asked to report the number of events of condom nonuse monogamous encounters in the past 30 days, among women not intending pregnancy.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Incidence of contraceptive nonuse
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants are asked to report any incidence of contraceptive nonuse monogamous encounters in the past 30 days, among women not intending pregnancy.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Number of events of contraceptive nonuse
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants reporting contraception nonuse are asked to report the number of events of contraceptive nonuse monogamous encounters in the past 30 days, among women not intending pregnancy.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Incidence of regretted/nonconsensual sex and sexual violence
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants are asked to report any incidence of non-consensual sex, regretted sex, or sexual violence in past 30 days.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Number of events of regretted/nonconsensual sex and sexual violence
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants reporting non-consensual sex, regretted sex, or sexual violence in past 30 days are asked to report the number of events.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Unintended pregnancy
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Participants are asked to report any incidence of unintended pregnancy occurring in the past 30 days.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) Scale Score
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) instrument is a well-validated patient self-report scale measuring anxiety severity. Participants respond to statements to indicate how often they have been bothered by specified symptoms of anxiety (such as "feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge). Response choices include 0 = not at all sure, 1 = several days, 2 = over half the days, and 3 = nearly every day. Total scores range from 0 to 21 with higher scores indicating increased anxiety. A score of 0 to 4 indicates minimal anxiety, scores of 5 to 9 indicate mild anxiety, scores of 10 to 14 indicate moderate anxiety, and scores of 15 to 21 indicate severe anxiety.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) Score
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) a 5-item scale that measures subjective psychological well-being in past 14 days. Responses to items are given on a 6-point scale where 0 = at no time and 5 = all of the time. Total raw scores range from 0 to 25, with 0 representing the worst possible and 25 representing the best possible quality of life. Scores can also be multiplied by 4 to obtain a percentage score ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst possible quality of life and 100 represents the best possible quality of life.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
General Self-reported Health Score
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Likert rating of general self-reported health in past 30 days
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
12-Item Short Form (SF-12) Health Survey Score
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Quality of life is assessed with the SF-12 Health Survey. The SF-12 is a multipurpose, standardized self-report short form survey with 12 questions assessing mental and physical functioning. The SF-12 consists of 12 items with a Likert-type response format that measures quality of life with a Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS). Subscales associated with the PCS include physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, bodily pain, and general health perceptions. Subscales associated with the MCS include vitality (energy and fatigue), social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. A scoring algorithm is used to generate a total score for each component ranging from 0 to 100. Low values represent a poor health state while high values represent a good health state.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Number of Patients Screened During Implementation Phase
Time Frame: During the 12-month implementation phase
The number of patients, out of all patients seen at the study sites, who are screened during the implementation phase.
During the 12-month implementation phase
Number of Patients Screened During Sustainment Phase
Time Frame: During the 12-month sustainment phase
The number of patients, out of all patients seen at the study sites, who are screened during the sustainment phase.
During the 12-month sustainment phase
Number of Patients Receiving Referral During Implementation Phase
Time Frame: During the 12-month implementation phase
The number of patients who screen at a severe level of alcohol use, who receive a referral during the implementation phase.
During the 12-month implementation phase
Number of Patients Receiving Referral During Sustainment Phase
Time Frame: During the 12-month sustainment phase
The number of patients who screen at a severe level of alcohol use, who receive a referral during the sustainment phase.
During the 12-month sustainment phase
University of Missouri-Kansas City Screening & Brief Intervention Knowledge Assessment Score
Time Frame: During the implementation phase
SBIRT knowledge is assessed with the University of Missouri-Kansas City Screening & Brief Intervention Knowledge Assessment. This instrument will be completed by providers undergoing training in SBIRT. Scores range from 0-20, with higher scores indicating more knowledge of SBIRT.
During the implementation phase
Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS) Score During Preparation Phase
Time Frame: During the preparation and implementation phases
Fidelity to the intervention is assessed as the mean score on the first 10 items of the Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS), from the last observation conducted during provider training. The score per provider is determined from a sample of audio recorded brief interventions. Responses to items are recorded as a "yes" or "no" assessment of whether the steps of the brief intervention were completed. The total score is the number of "yes" items and can range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more steps completed.
During the preparation and implementation phases
Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS) Score - Motivational Style
Time Frame: During the preparation and implementation phases
Fidelity to the intervention is assessed as the mean score on the 11th item of the Brief Intervention Observation Sheet (BIOS), from the last observation conducted during provider training. The score per provider is determined from a sample of audio recorded brief interventions. Item 11 assesses the overall motivational interviewing style used by the provider. Scores are rated on a 7-point scale where 1 = not at all and 7 = very effectively. Higher scores indicate greater motivational interviewing style.
During the preparation and implementation phases

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Number of Participants with STI Diagnosis
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
The number of participants receiving a diagnosis of one more sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in past 30 days.
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Past or current receipt of substance use treatment or services
Time Frame: Baseline, Day 30, Month 3
Number of days/times the participant received treatment or counseling for alcohol or drugs or attended a self-help/mutual support meeting in past 30 days
Baseline, Day 30, Month 3

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Kelli S Hall, MD, Columbia University
  • Principal Investigator: Justine Welsh, MD, Emory University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

July 3, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 19, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 7, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

June 18, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 22, 2025

Last Verified

July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Per the NIAAA Exemption Request Committee's determination electronic health records/administrative records data components will not be shared. Quantitative survey data will be shared.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Data will be made available for sharing following publication of finding from this study and will be available indefinitely.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Anyone who wishes to access the data will be able to do so.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP
  • ICF
  • ANALYTIC_CODE

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Substance-Related Disorders

Clinical Trials on Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

Subscribe