The Feasibility of Using Self-Generated Identification Codes in Longitudinal Research With Military Personnel

Ethical issues when conducting health research with military personnel: a scoping review protocol

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this scoping review is to understand the scope and nature of evidence in relation to the ethical issues that arise when conducting health research with military personnel.

INTRODUCTION

Ethical obligations in human research have been debated for centuries. Historically, research conducted with military personnel has led to ethical controversies regarding autonomy, harm, and informed consent. In particular, the power dynamics, hierarchical nature, and culture that are inherent in military structures may compromise the voluntary nature of research participation.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This scoping review will include all sources of evidence that identify ethical issues, such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, within health research with military personnel, including reservists. This review will exclude sources of evidence on health research conducted during combat or on new technologies for fighting in wars.

METHODS

This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. A 3-step search strategy will be used to obtain both published and unpublished sources of evidence. Two independent reviewers will screen sources of evidence against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. No limits on language will be applied; we will use Google Translate to translate sources of evidence in languages other than English. Sources of evidence published since 1964 will be included. Data will be extracted using a purpose-designed spreadsheet and the results will be summarized descriptively and presented in tabular format.

REVIEW REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework https://osf.io/db85p.

Prevention of Alcohol-related Incidents in the U.S. Air Force: Results From a Cluster Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Alcohol misuse poses significant public health concerns in the U.S. Military. An Alcohol Misconduct Prevention Program (AMPP), which includes a brief alcohol intervention (BAI) session, plus random breathalyzer program, has been shown to reduce alcohol-related incidents (ARIs) among Airmen undergoing training.

PURPOSE

The current study sought to examine whether a booster BAI administered at the end of Airmen's training reduced ARIs out to a 1-year follow-up.

METHODS

Participants were 26,231 U.S. Air Force Technical Trainees recruited between March 2016 and July 2018. Participants were cluster randomized by cohort to two conditions: AMPP + BAI Booster or AMPP + Bystander Intervention. The primary analysis was a comparison of the interventions' efficacies in preventing Article 15 ARIs at a 1-year follow-up, conducted using a generalized estimating equations logistic regression model controlling for covariates.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference by condition in Article 15 ARIs at the 1-year follow-up (P = .912).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that a booster may not be necessary to produce maximum effects beyond the initial AMPP intervention. It is also possible that alcohol behaviors changed as a result of the intervention but were not captured by our outcome measures. Future research should consider alternative outcomes or participant-tracking measures to determine whether a different or more intensive BAI booster is effective. The majority of Article 15 ARIs were for underage drinking; therefore, developing an intervention focused on this problem behavior could lead to large reductions in training costs in the military.