Abstract: ObjectiveTo understand alcohol drinking patterns in Yi people in Yunnan province,and to observe the effects of health education program on aw areness of the harm of alcohol consumption for effective intervention.MethodsWith multistage clustering sampling,1769 Yi residents of three tow nships in Dayao county were selected and investigated with a face-to-face questionnaire survey on their alcohol drinking behavior.Based on the results of baseline investigation, intervention subjects were selected and randomly divided into intervention and control groups.ResultsThe total drinking rate of the subjects was 47.9% (847/1769)with a significant higher rate of 67.6% (699/1034)in men than women (20.1%,148/735;χ²=387.86,P<0.001).The intervention group received an education program and propaganda for 6 months and showed an obvious different aw areness rate compared with that of before intervention.However,the control group had no obvious change.ConclusionThe alcohol drinking is a prevalent behavior in Yi people,and related know ledge about the harm of alcohol drinking should be popularized among the residents to reduce the rate of chronic diseases among alcohol drinkers.