title: Cost-effectiveness analysis of motivational interviewing with feedback to reduce drinking among a sample of college students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the costs and cost-effectiveness of combining motivational interviewing with feedback to address heavy drinking among university freshmen.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microcosting methods were used in a prospective cost and cost-effectiveness study of a randomized trial of assessment only (AO), motivational interviewing (MI), feedback only (FB), and motivational interviewing with feedback (MIFB) at a large public university in the southeastern United States. Students were recruited and screened into the study during freshman classes based on recent heavy drinking. A total of 727 students (60% female) were randomized, and 656 had sufficient data at 3-months' follow-up to be included in the cost-effectiveness analysis. Effectiveness outcomes were changes in average drinks per drinking occasion and number of heavy drinking occasions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean intervention costs per student were $16.51 for MI, $17.33 for FB, and $36.03 for MIFB. Cost-effectiveness analysis showed two cost-effective interventions for both outcomes: AO ($0 per student) and MIFB ($36 per student).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first prospective cost-effectiveness study to our knowledge to examine MI for heavy drinking among students in a university setting. Despite being the most expensive intervention, MIFB was the most effective intervention and may be a cost-effective intervention, depending on a university's willingness to pay for changes in the considered outcomes.
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. cowell@rti.org
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cowell
authors.forename: Janice M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: Randall H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.forename: Brendan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wedehase
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities / Q000191:economics*