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Introduction Methods Results Discussion and Conclusion The Grog Survey App is a validated, visual and interactive self‐administered application for tablet computers that is designed to help Aboriginal Australians describe their alcohol consumption. Each person who completes the App also receives a brief intervention with feedback tailored to their survey responses. We aimed to qualitatively assess the acceptability and perceived quality of the Grog App's brief intervention, among higher risk consumers and health providers at an Aboriginal residential rehabilitation centre.This descriptive qualitative study analysed feedback from clients (n = 20) and staff (n = 10) of a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation service on the brief intervention element of the Grog App. Data were collected face‐to‐face via semi‐structured interviews over four consecutive weeks between May and June 2021. A content analysis was conducted, which was informed by the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS).Client and staff feedback is summarised using four themes from the MARS framework: (i) aesthetics; (ii) engagement; (iii) functionality; and (iv) information. Most clients and staff felt like health messages on the brief intervention were written by ‘someone who understands’. Overall, clients and staff described the brief intervention as visually appealing, engaging and likely able to elicit ‘lightbulb moments’.The brief intervention on the Grog App is unique in its provision of tailored advice based on survey responses to all individuals (i.e., those who do not drink through to those with likely dependence). Further research is needed to assess effectiveness of this brief intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several initiatives have sought to increase the number of First Nations individuals with a higher degree in research (i.e., PhD or research masters)—in Australia and in similarly colonised countries. However, little has been written on day‐to‐day support structures and mechanisms that might help First Nations Australian candidates thrive in postgraduate research degrees and beyond. For sensitive research fields such as alcohol, emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers must grapple with topics which are stigmatising and in some instances associated with traumatic associations. There is also a lack of studies internationally that describe optimal support for First Nations students undertaking a higher degree by research with a primary focus on alcohol. Here we discuss what we have learned from the support offered through the Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol—from the perspective of academic staff, students, trainees and early career researchers. We consider what may be generalisable lessons from this experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Measuring self‐reported alcohol use is challenging in any population, including when episodic drinking may be common. Drinking among Indigenous Australians has been shown to vary greatly within and between communities. However, most survey methods assume 'regular' patterns of drinking. National estimates have also been shown to underestimate alcohol use among this group. This paper describes drinking patterns in two representative community samples (urban and remote). Methods: Indigenous Australians (aged 16+ years) in two South Australian sites were recruited to complete the Grog Survey App. The App is a validated, interactive tablet‐based survey tool, designed to help Indigenous Australians describe their drinking. Drinking patterns were described using medians and interquartile ranges; gender and remoteness were compared using Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests. Spearman correlations explored the relationship between drinking patterns and age. Logistic regressions tested if beverage or container preference differed by remoteness or gender. Results: Three‐quarters of participants (77.0%, n = 597/775) were current drinkers. Median standard drinks per occasion was 7.8 (78 g), 1.3 drinking occasions per month (median). Three‐quarters of current drinkers (73.7%) reported a period without drinking (median: 60 days). Remote drinkers were more likely to drink beer. Improvised containers were used by 40.5% of drinkers. Discussion and Conclusions: Episodic drinking with extended 'dry' periods and from non‐standard drinking containers was common in this representative sample of Indigenous Australians. The diversity of container use and beverage preference, by gender and remoteness, illustrates nuances in drinking patterns between communities. It shows the importance of community‐level data to inform local strategies addressing alcohol misuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined acceptability and feasibility of a tablet application ("App") to record self-reported alcohol consumption among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Four communities (1 urban; 3 regional/remote) tested the App, with 246 adult participants (132 males, 114 females). The App collected (a) completion time; (b) participant feedback; (c) staff observations. Three research assistants were interviewed. Only six (1.4%) participants reported that the App was "hard" to use. Participants appeared to be engaged and to require minimal assistance; nearly half verbally reflected on their drinking or drinking of others. The App has potential for surveys, screening, or health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]