Minimal Effect of Web-Based Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention in University Students

Misuse of alcohol is common among college students. Web-based screening and brief interventions have shown promise but have not been studied in large, generalizable settings. Investigators e-mailed invitations containing Web links to questionnaires about alcohol use to about 15,000 non-Maori New Zealand university students; 34% responded and completed two brief validated questionnaires that assessed amount, timing, and effects of alcohol intake. Of those respondents, about two thirds screened positive and were randomized to receive brief, personalized online feedback and education about their drinking or to a control group that received no intervention.

At 5 months, differences between the two groups were seen in days of drinking in the prev…