Audit of Online Resources on Alcohol and Other Drugs in New South Wales

Background: Substance use poses significant challenges to individuals, families, and communities. The harms and adverse health impacts associated with problematic substance use place burdens on quality of life, relationships, and community function. They are also commonly associated with major medical, psychological, and social issues and premature death. Substance use occurs in all communities, however, those experiencing greater poverty, isolation, marginalisation, and disadvantage experience a disproportionate level of harm. Stigma, criminalisation, and discrimination experienced by people who use substances create barriers to service access and uptake and contribute to poor health outcomes. People experiencing substance dependence and related health issues are seen across the health system. Access to health services is supported by the publication of accessible service information and informed health care decisions through education resources on alcohol and other drugs. However, the value of these educational resources is dependent upon an individual's reading and health literacy skills, which could influence their ability to access, understand and act-upon health education messages. The objective of this study was to conduct an audit of online resources on alcohol and other drugs (AOD) that are readily available in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Using an exploratory approach, this research aimed to assess the content and readability of the online resources in order to examine whether existing resources meet the needs of individuals with, or at risk of, AOD issues and/or their families and carers. Methods: A desktop search was conducted between October and December 2021 to obtain all AOD resources that were readily available online in NSW. Initial search terms included "alcohol" and "drugs" to capture all relevant resources published by key organisations that offer support and information services about AOD. In this audit, only the resources that were 1-2 pages in length in an online format were included as consumers are more likely to read and understand resources that are brief. The resources were appraised for textual framework, thoroughness and content, use of professional jargon, and readability. Readability was measured using four readability indices: the Flesch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL), the Gunning Fog index (Fog), the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and the Flesch Reading Ease. The review team comprised of three primary reviewers (A.A. and K.R.) who received support where necessary from two additional reviewers (R.A. and P.P.). Stakeholders with expertise in Drug Health (P.P., G.W., and A.M.) were involved for additional support where required throughout the project. Although, consumers and carers were not involved in the appraisal process or during the formulation of recommendations the methodology and tools utilised for appraisal of the resources are internationally recognised in the health literacy resource development literature.