Comportamentos de risco para a saúde de adolescentes da rede pública de ensino

Risk health behavior of adolescent on the public education

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the frequency health-harmful behaviors and analyze potential social and factors associated with
adolescents in government schools. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 263 government-school pupils between 14 and
18 years old, assessing demographic social, economic and behavioral risk data. Results: A total of 263 adolescents were
assessed, 58.9% female and 41.1% male. Lower social class and insuffi cient physical activity were associated with girls, with
higher classroom failure rates and more fi ghting among boys. The frequency of health-harmful behaviors and associated
factors were: 50% personal insecurity; 38% exposed to or involved in violent situations; 23.6% intense unhappiness or
suicidal ideas; 5% smoking; 24.8% drinking alcohol; 4.6% illegal drug use; 26.8% non-use of condoms; 61.2% low fruit and
vegetable consumption; and 32.8% insuffi cient physical activity. Factors associated with health-harmful behaviors were:
failing year-end examinations, social class, age and weight self-perception. Conclusion: The frequency of health-harmful
behaviors among the evaluated pupils is high, some associated with demographic and social factors that step up the
occurrence of at-risk behaviors. Considering adolescents as vulnerable, these high-risk subgroups need priority healthcare,
where community and classroom health promotion programs can help change this reality.