Association between restriction policies and rate of alcohol-related harm in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: A systematic review protocol

Objective:This review aims to examine the association between alcohol restriction policies and rates of alcohol-related harms in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.Introduction:A number of different strategies have been used to reduce the harms and costs associated withexcessive alcohol consumption in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These strategies, implementedat federal and state government levels, as well as by individual communities, have aimed to promote reduced alcoholconsumption or prohibit consumption entirely. Strategies to address the problems associated with alcohol misusecan be categorized into three types: harm, demand and supply reduction.Inclusion criteria:This review will consider any kind of quantitative research study that includes AustralianAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in communities subject to alcohol control policies due to theimposition of alcohol management plans or other alcohol restriction policies. Included studies will measure physicalalcohol-related harms. The secondary outcome of interest will be rates of alcohol consumption measured as alcoholsales per person or as self-reported consumption. Studies published in English from 1998 will be included.Methods:The proposed systematic review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology forsystematic reviews of etiology and risk. Published and unpublished studies will be sourced from multiple databasesand resources. Two independent reviewers will screen, appraise and extract data from studies meeting the inclusioncriteria. Data synthesis will be conducted and a Summary of Findings will be constructed