Development and Cultural Adaptation of a Computer-Delivered and Multi-Component Alcohol Reduction Intervention for Russian Women Living with HIV and HCV

Background: There is elevated prevalence of problem drinking among Russian women living with HIV and HCV co-infection. This paper describes the development and cultural adaptation of a multi-component alcohol reduction intervention incorporating a brief, computer-delivered module for Russian women living with HIV and HCV co-infection. Methods: The format and content of the intervention were adapted to be linguistic-, cultural-, and gender-appropriate using the ADAPT-ITT framework. A computer-delivered module and brief clinician-delivered individual and telephone sessions were developed. Results: We describe the theoretical foundations of the intervention, the cultural adaptation of the intervention, and overview the content of the intervention’s multiple components. Discussion: Interventions to reduce alcohol use that can be integrated within Russian HIV treatment centers are urgently needed. If efficacious, the culturally-adapted intervention offers the promise of a cost-effective, easily disseminated intervention approach for Russian women living with HIV/HCV co-infection engaging in problematic alcohol use.