Uganda substance use professionals draft manual for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment (SBIRT) for alcohol use disorder primary health care

According to the current WHO report of 2023, Uganda is ranked the highest alcohol consumer in the African Region with a per capita alcohol consumption of 12.21 liters among adults.

Harmful use of alcohol is associated with a range of Communicable and Non-Communicable

Diseases, mental and psychological conditions, interpersonal violence, road traffic injuries, and Deaths.

In 2018, the World Health Organization in collaboration with international partners, launched the SAFER Initiative to support Member States in their efforts to reduce the harmful use of Alcohol.

SAFER represents 5 effective and cost-effective alcohol control interventions including.

  • Strengthening restrictions on alcohol availability.
  • Advancement of drink-driving countermeasures.
  • Facilitating Screening, Brief Interventions and Referral for Treatment
  • (SBIRT).
  • Enforcement of bans or comprehensive restrictions on advertising, sponsorship, and
  • Promotion and
  • Raising prices on alcohol through excise taxes and pricing policies.