Alcohol Prevention at Large Sport Stadiums: Effects from a 2-Year Follow-up Study Using Biological Sampling to Measure Intoxication Levels Among Spectators

Introduction: Alcohol intoxication and alcohol-related problems among spectators at sporting events is of great concern in many countries including Sweden. There is a demand among authorities and key stakeholders for action to be taken. In 2015, our research group therefore initiated a novel research project aiming to reduce intoxication levels and alcohol-related problems at large sport stadiums. The implemented prevention strategies are based on a multi-component intervention including community mobilization, training of staff in responsible beverage service, and improved enforcement. Since alcohol-related problems are most prevalent at the most popular sport in Sweden, i.e. soccer, this work was first implemented at soccer games in the Swedish Premier Soccer League (SPSL). The purpose of this study is to measure the effects of this alcohol prevention program using blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels among spectators at soccer games in the SPSL.

Methods: This is a quasi-experimental control group study, which uses a repeated cross-sectional design. Baseline and follow-up data were collected during 2015 and 2017, respectively, in the two largest cities in Sweden, Stockholm (intervention area) and Gothenburg (control area). The setting was all arenas hosting SPSL games. Spectators were randomly selected at various sections inside the arenas and actual BAC-levels were measured using breath analyzers. The prevention strategies were initiated during 2016 and are still ongoing.

Results: Data collection will be completed during November 2017. Preliminary results from BAC-levels collected in the interventions area (n=3355 in 2015 and n=2169 in 2017) reveals that the proportion of spectators who have a BAC-level >0% has significantly decreased from about 49% in 2015 to 43% in 2017, and the proportion having a BAC of 1% or more has significantly decreased from about 10% in 2015 to 7% in 2017. Results also indicate that the mean BAC-level among those who have consumed alcohol has decreased from 0.63% in 2015 to 0.58% in 2017. However, this difference is not statistically significant.

Conclusions: Results indicate that the alcohol prevention program implemented in Stockholm during 2016 has had an impact on the alcohol consumption patterns among spectators at the SPSL. It remains to be seen if the intervention area significantly has improved to a greater extent than the control area.