Enhancing the self-report of alcohol consumption in the community: two questionnaire formats

Two questionnaire formats for assessing alcohol consumption in a community sample were compared. Subjects completed the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire and a questionnaire specifically targeting alcohol use. Across all alcoholic beverages, subjects reported lower consumption on the alcohol questionnaire than on the food frequency questionnaire. The results suggest that food frequency questionnaires may provide a better means for enhancing self-report of alcohol use than questionnaires that target solely alcohol intake. (Am J Public Health. 1994;84' 294-296)
The drinking habits of middle-aged and older adults might be more accurately measured when questions on alcohol consumption are included in a more general food-consumption questionnaire. A total of 237 adults between 50 and 65 years old completed two questionnaires. One questionnaire asked for information on food and alcohol consumption habits. The other contained only questions on alcohol consumption. The questions on alcohol consumption were taken directly from the food questionnaire. Participants were randomly assigned to take one questionnaire first and the second three days later. Fewer participants were classified as drinkers when the alcohol-only questionnaire was used. A lower frequency of alcohol intake was also found with the alcohol-only questionnaire.