Impact of Buddhist Lent Dry Campaign on alcohol consumption behaviour: A community level study.

Abstract

"Buddhist Lent Dry Campaign" is an alcohol-control programme that uses religious opportunities to promote behavioural changes among the Thai population. It is undertaken at the national and community levels. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of the community-level intervention under the campaign on alcohol consumption behaviour. A prospective cohort study was conducted. The sample comprised 447 drinkers from four intervention communities and 388 from four non-intervention communities. All were subjected to a series of sequential interviews. Our findings showed that the availability of the community intervention had a significant effect on alcohol abstinence not only during Buddhist Lent (OR=2.74, 95% CI=1.96, 3.85), but also 3months after the end of Buddhist Lent (OR=2.19, 95% CI=1.42, 3.38). Furthermore, the intervention was very effective among drinkers who took an abstinence pledge (OR=7.04, 95% CI=4.49, 11.04). However, the effectiveness of the community intervention weakened after the intervention it ended. Additional interventions might be required to maintain the effects of the community intervention.