Background: Data on the correspondence between information on alcohol consumption obtained from household members directly interviewed and those evaluated through surrogate respondents are scarce in developing countries.
Aim: To estimate alcohol consumption in Mozambique and to compare the information self-reported by subjects directly interviewed with data provided by surrogate respondents referring to household members that were absent during interview.
Subjects and methods: A representative sample of 20 033 Mozambicans aged 25-64 years was evaluated in 2003 as part of a national household survey. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic and behavioural factors (12 902 participants were directly interviewed and for 7238 data were provided by surrogate respondents).
Results: Nearly a quarter of women and half the men were current drinkers, of which about 60% drank 1-2 days/week and more than 75% reported traditional beverages as the most frequently consumed. No meaningful differences were observed between the estimates obtained using only data reported directly by the participants and when surrogate reports were also considered.
Conclusion: Alcohol consumption was frequent in Mozambique, especially consumption of traditional beverages. Proxy respondents provided valid information on alcohol intake, which may be used to improve the efficiency of household surveys in this setting.