PREVALENCE AND CO-OCCURRENCE OF HEALTH RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN THE BACKLANDS OF PARAÍBA, BRAZIL: A SCHOOL-BASED DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence and co-occurrence of health risk behaviors among school adolescents in the backlands of Paraíba. A descriptive study was conducted with 242 participants (aged 16.6 ± 1.3 years) of a federal public school in the city of Sousa, Paraíba. The following health risk behaviors were assessed using the Global School-based Student Health Survey questionnaire: a) physical inactivity (<60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity); b) inadequate sleep (<8 h/day for <18 years of age and <7 h/day for 18+ years of age); c) high smartphone screen time (5+ h/day); d) occasional consumption of fruits and vegetables (<1 time per day); e) alcohol consumption (in the last 30 days); f) nicotine product consumption (in the last 30 days). Observed frequencies (%) and 95% percentile bootstrap confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. High prevalence of physical inactivity (71.5%, 95% CI 65.7, 76.9), inadequate sleep (78.1%, 95% CI 72.3, 83.5), high smartphone screen time (88.0%, 95% CI 83.9, 91.7), occasional consumption of fruits/vegetables (93.4%, 95% CI 90.1, 96.3), alcohol consumption (46.3%, 95% CI 39.7, 52.1), and consumption (12.4%; 95% CI 8.3; 16.9) were observed. Regarding co-occurrence, 6.6% (95% CI 3.7, 9.9) presented two behaviors, 24.4% (95% CI 19.4, 30.2) three behaviors, 39.3% (95% CI 33.1, 45.0) four behaviors, 22.3% (95% CI 17.4, 28.1) five behaviors, and 5.4% (95% CI 2.9, 8.3) six health risk behaviors. In conclusion, the results highlight high prevalence and co-occurrence of health risk behaviors among school adolescents in the highlands of Paraíba.