Farol da Saúde: estudo dos comportamentos de risco relacionados à saúde e fatores associados em escolares da cidade de Morro Redondo/RS.

Abstract

Risk behaviors are those behaviors that are associated with the acquisition of different non-communicable chronic diseases, namely: non-use of condoms, smoking, alcoholism, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating behaviors and involvement with violence. Adolescence has been shown to be the phase of greatest adherence to these behaviors. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of health-related risk behaviors and associated factors i students from the 6th grade of elementary school to the 3rd year of high school in the city of Morro Redondo/RS, southern Brazil. This is a census-type epidemiological study with a cross-sectional design. A self-reported questionnaire including demographic, socioeconomic, nutritional and outcome variables (health-related risk behaviors) were applied to the students. The analysis to verify the association between the independent variables and outcomes was conducted using the means comparison test (T test and ANOVA or its nonparametric equivalent) for continuous outcomes and proportion tests (Chi-square and Linear Trend) for categorized outcomes. Of the total number of students evaluated, 61.90% were inactive; 22.22% of students said they had consumed alcohol in the last 30 days; 1.59% were considered smokers; 68.25% stated that they had not eaten vegetables, vegetables and fruits at least five times during the week; 7.94% of students were involved in fights in the last 12 m nths; and 9.52% of students said they had sexual relation without using a condom. In addition, 57.14% of students exhibited two or more health-related risk behaviors. The findings serve as a basis for education and health managers to design and implement effective interventions, especially during this pandemic period.