Objective   To study drinking behaviors among inbabitants in Guangdong province and to provide evidence on further health education and behavior intervention.

  Methods   A descriptive analysis for drinking behaviors among inhabitants aged over 14 years was conducted using the data from the Inhabits Nutrition and Health Survey in Guangdong Province in 2002.

  Results   The prevalence rate of drinking among inhabitants aged over 14 years in Guang dong province was 13.5% (age-adjusted rate 11.8%), of which males rated 26.0% (age-adjusted rate 23.4%), females rated 3.3% (age-adjusted rate 2.7%), and there was ahigher rate in males than thatin females(μ=4 016.396, P < 0.01).The rate was higherin cities (13.1% and age-adjusted rate 12.3%)than thatin countries(13.9% and age-adjusted rate 11.4%).Drinking rate was hig hestin those whose average hous-eincome per year was highest or whose occupation was co mmercial, of service or those who was unmarried or who graduated from junior college.Among all drinkers, 49.6% drinked once or twice per week, 29.9% did everyday or almost everyday; 53.3% drinked distilled spirit, 17.9% drinked beer and distilled spirit at the same time, 17.0% drinked only beer.Among former and present drinkers, the age beginning to drink was earlierin males than females.

  Conclusion   Controlling excessive drinking was a compositive social question and good habits of restricting drinking was established depending on many sections.cooper ation and inhabitants.