# Couple-Based Motivational Interviewing with Technology to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in HIV+ South African Couples

> **NIH NIH R34** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2021 · $214,625

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), our research suggests that primary partners should be involved in alcohol
interventions given their critical role in helping drinkers reduce alcohol use and the couple dynamics that
intersect with alcohol use. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a proven intervention for reducing alcohol use
among individuals living with HIV, and emerging evidence suggests that MI is a promising option for couples.
Correct knowledge of drinking levels in real-time is critical for triggering couple communication and timely and
tailored support to help drinkers reduce their alcohol use. Mobile breathalyzer technology could help to achieve
this goal by providing real-time and objective feedback to couples and current apps already have this built-in
dyadic functionality. In this study, we propose to develop and test an alcohol intervention using couple-based
MI and mobile breathalyzers to build dyadic support around drinking in HIV-affected couples in South Africa.
We posit that by motivating the couple to work together to reduce drinking, and using mobile breathalyzers as
a tool to increase partner knowledge and trigger couple communication and timely support, we will reduce
heavy alcohol use and improve HIV treatment outcomes. The specific aims are to: (1) to adapt a couple-based
MI intervention to reduce alcohol use in HIV-affected South African couples and incorporate a breathalyzer
with mobile app to deliver real-time feedback on blood alcohol content (BAC) levels to both partners; (2) to
develop and pilot test the study procedures for a future randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the couple-based
intervention; and (3) to assess the feasibility and acceptability (F&A) of a couple-based MI intervention with
and without mobile breathalyzers for real-time feedback. For Aim 1, we will adapt a couple-based MI
framework and interventions (We Test and the Couples Health Project) to address alcohol use in South African
couples and incorporate the breathalyzer component. For Aim 2, we will develop the intervention manuals,
study procedures, and data collection instruments to be pilot tested. For Aim 3, we will implement a three-arm
RCT with 30 couples randomized to the following arms (90 couples total): 1) an enhanced usual care control
condition; 2) couple-based MI; and 3) couple-based MI with mobile breathalyzers for feedback. For arm 2 and
3, couples will receive several monthly MI sessions with a lay counselor to help couples strengthen
communication and problem-solving skills around alcohol use. For Arm 3, couples will use the mobile
breathalyzers and app for 60 days and receive the same MI sessions, which will also incorporate feedback on
BAC levels (prior 30 days) and teach couples how to effectively engage with the breathalyzers. We will conduct
exit interviews with a subset of 30 couples to contextualize F&A data, and will analyze the mixed-methods data
to refine the intervention for a future efficacy trial. Ou...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10325835
- **Project number:** 1R34AA029649-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Amy Anne Conroy
- **Activity code:** R34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $214,625
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-20 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10325835

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10325835, Couple-Based Motivational Interviewing with Technology to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in HIV+ South African Couples (1R34AA029649-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-10 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10325835. Licensed CC0.

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