Training primary care nurses to conduct alcohol screening and brief interventions in South Africa

Although progress has been made in developing a scientific basis for alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI), training packages are necessary for its widespread dissemination in primary care settings in developing societies. Although the training effects were at times moderate, all things were in a direction more conductive to implementing SBI. Health care providers significantly increased in knowledge, confidence in SBI and higher self-efficacy in implementing SBI at follow-up after 9 months after receiving the training. When delivered ion the context of a comprehensive SBI implementation programmed, this training is effective in changers providers' knowledge attitudes and practice of SBI for at-risk drinking.