A comparative analysis of two methods for the study of alcohol intake in Mexico

Two different methodologies were studied in a semi-rural community in Mexico city to investigate alcohol-intake patterns and attitudes towards drinking and drunkenness. One of the methods consisted of a household survey. The other used the anthropological informant's technique. These methods were compared only at those points where were found similarities in the data collected. We conclude that both methods give comparable estimates of what goes on in the community. Nevertheless the informant method is cheaper, results are obtained in less time and the community members are engaged in this problem, thus permitting future action to be taken.