Prevalence of alcohol drinking in males aged 20-79 years in China, 2012

Objective: To understand the prevalence of alcohol drinking in 20-79 years old males with different educational backgrounds and smoking behaviors in different areas of China. Methods: A multi-stage cluster random sampling survey was conducted in 150 surveillance sites in 2010-2012 Chinese nutrition and health surveillance in China. At least 1 000 subjects were selected in each surveillance site. Alcohol drinking prevalence and pattern information were collected by using personal health and food frequency questionnaire in face to face interviews. Results: A total of 60 791 males aged 20-79 years were surveyed. The prevalence of alcohol drinking was 57.8% (58.3% in rural area, 57.3% in urban area). The mean daily alcohol intake level was 32.7 g (33.3 g in rural area, 32.1 g in urban area). The rate of almost drinking every day and daily alcohol intake level were highest among males aged 50-59 years. Mean daily alcohol intake level, rate of almost drinking every day and excessive drinking decreased with the increase of education level. Non-smokers had higher rate of never drinking and lower prevalence of drinking and excessive drinking, lower mean daily alcohol intake level, and lower rate of almost drinking every day compared with current and past smokers. Conclusions: Alcohol drinking was common in males aged 20-79 years in China, and, the difference was not obvious between rural residents and urban residents. The differences in daily intake level of different alcohol drinks among males with different characteristics had certain significance. Significant difference in excessive drinking was found among different age groups, those with different education levels and those with different smoking history.