Perfil nutricional e comportamental de agentes comunitários de saúde do município de Pelotas, RS.

Abstract

Introduction: Among the primary responsibilities of the Community Health Worker is the implementation of actions at health promotion. This professional represents the link between primary health care and the community. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional and behavioral profile of Community Health Workers, as well as self-perception of health, consumption of medicines of continuous use and presence of disease diagnosed by a physician, in the city of Pelotas, RS. Methodology: A cross-sectional, census-type study with Community Health Workers from rural and urban areas. To assess nutritional status, weight and height were measured. Nutritional status was classified according to body mass index. Food consumption, leisure-time physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, self-perception of health, presence of a physiciandiagnosed disease, and continuous use of medication were identified through a questionnaire administered by trained interviewers. After data collection, these were double entered in the Epidata 3.1 program and the descriptive analyses and Pearson's chi-square test were performed in the STATA 12.0 statistical program, with a significance level of 5%. Results: This study observed a high prevalence of overweight (80.3%) and leisure-time physical inactivity (70.7%). Regarding food intake markers, 49.6% consumed two or more unhealthy foods and 75.7% consumed two or more healthy foods in the day before the interview. Smoking was reported by 14.9% of professionals and 54.8% consumed alcohol in the last 30 days. More than half of the participants reported good self-rated of health, 50.8% had a medical diagnosis of the disease, and 57.0% used continuous medication. Conclusion: the study identified a high prevalence of overweight and physical inactivity among the behavioral factors evaluated, suggesting the need for measures to control these two factors. Also, more than half of the professionals had a medical diagnosis of the disease and used medications continuously. Highlighting the importance of actions that objective promoting of the health of these professionals, regardless of their area of operation, due little difference identified between the two areas.