OBJECTIVETo understand the drinking behaviors and patterns among floating population in China.

METHODSFloating population were selected through multistage clustering sampling method, stratified by 6 major industries in 170 counties and districts from 31 provinces/autonomous regions, and Xinjiang Construction Corps, in mainland China. Design-based methods were adopted to analyze the drinking behavior in subpopulations.

RESULTSA total of 48 697 floating population aged 18-59 years were included in the study. The overall prevalence rate of drinking was 51.7% with 71.9% in men and 24.7% in women, in the last 12 months. Among those who ever drank, the weekly drinking prevalence and daily alcohol intake were 53.9% and 18.7 g in males while 16.7% and 4.1 g in females, respectively, among those floating population. Weekly drinking prevalence rates, for both genders, increased along with the increase of age (P < 0.01), but declining with having higher education level (P < 0.01). Among male drinkers, daily alcohol intake increased with age(P < 0.01) but declining with those having higher education (P < 0.01). Prevalence rates on excessive drinking, hazardous drinking and harmful drinking among male drinkers were 23.6% , 6.6% and 6.9%, respectively, but among female drinkers the figures were 6.3% , 2.3% and 1.5% , respectively. More male and older drinkers had excessive drinking, hazardous drinking or harmful drinking than the younger drinkers (P < 0.01), while less male drinkers in those having lower education (P < 0.01). 71.2% male and 33.1% female drinkers experienced at least once binge drinking in the last 12 months. Distribution of binge drinking frequencies were statistically different among male drinkers by age groups, education levels, or occupation they engaged in (P < 0.01). Among all the 6 occupations, floating population from the construction industry had the highest prevalence rates on items as weekly drinking, daily alcohol intake and prevalence of unhealthy drinking behaviors, except for hazardous drinking behaviors.

CONCLUSIONDrinking behavior was prevalent among floating population in China. Significant difference was seen between genders. Unhealthy drinking behaviors varied greatly among male drinkers at different age groups or education levels as well as among those working in the different industries.