Health Risk Behaviors Research Articles

Risk of frailty and associated factors among community older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Functional decline represents the main determinant of negative outcomes in the health of older adults, such as the development of other disabilities, which may result in frailty, institutionalization, hospitalization and death. Aim: To determine the prevalence of risk of frailty among community older adults during the covid-19 pandemic and identify its association with health risk behaviors. Methods: An epidemiological screening type research, with cross-sectional design and sample representative of the Federal District, Brazil, was carried out. Data were collected through electronic questionnaire. In order to answer the problem question, the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index – IVCF-20 instrument was used (with risk ≥7 points), complemented by questions about demographic factors, socioeconomic factors and health risk behaviors. For data analysis, descriptive (frequency distribution and confidence interval) and association (crude and adjusted binary logistic regression) procedures were used. Results: Data from 1,363 older adults were analyzed (66.0%=female; 34.0%=male), the majority aged 60-74 years (82.2%), with higher education level (50.1%), who did not live alone (76.6%). There was high prevalence of older adults exposed to risk of frailty (30.7%; CI 95%=26.3-35.1), insufficiently active (45.6%; CI 95%=41.7-49.5) and who did not practice physical exercises before (30.2%; CI 95%=25.8-34.6) and during the physical distancing resulting from the covid-19 pandemic (53.4%; CI95%=49.8-57.0). Risk of frailty was associated with insufficient level of physical activity (OR=3.37; 95% CI 2.59-4.39) and with not practicing physical exercise before (OR=1.54; 95% CI 1. 17-2.03) and during physical distancing resulting from the covid-19 pandemic (OR=2.07; 95% CI 1.58-2.69). Conclusions: Considering the relevance and potential of physical exercise for older adults in contributing to functional improvement and health conditions, strategies to maintain active habits, even in periods of physical distancing as imposed by the covid-19 pandemic, are needed.

Mediation of Psychological Capital in Youth Experiencing Homelessness.

Youth who experience homelessness engage in behaviors that place them at high risk for disease and injury. Despite their health risk behaviors, these youth display psychological capital, positive attributes of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism that motivate them to engage in health-promoting behaviors such as safer sex. However, this array of positive psychological attributes has not been studied in this vulnerable population. The specific aim of this analysis was to determine whether factors of psychological capital mediated the relationship between background risk factors (e.g., race/ethnicity, educational attainment, reason for being homeless, sexual abuse history, and HIV status) and outcomes of condom intention, safer sex behaviors, and life satisfaction among youth who participated in a longitudinal intervention study. Using a Solomon four-group design, 602 youth were recruited from drop-in centers in two large cities (Columbus, Ohio, and Austin, Texas) to participate in a brief intervention that included outcomes of enhanced communication skills, goal setting, safer sex behaviors, drug refusal skills, and life satisfaction. Using an autoregressive, cross-lagged, longitudinal mediation model, we tested the direct and indirect effects of background factors, psychological capital, and intervention outcomes. Models were tested for the intervention group alone and the total sample. There were no significant direct or indirect effects of background factors on intervention outcomes among the intervention group, and the model fit was poor. There were also no significant mediating paths via factors of psychological capital and poor model fit for the combined group. Findings provide important information about intrinsic strengths of youth experiencing homelessness and psychological capital as a significant construct for understanding health behaviors among disadvantaged and underserved youth. The lack of significant mediation effects may have been due, in part, to the lack of a robust measure of psychological capital. Further study with various background factors and outcomes would contribute further to our understanding of how best to support this population.

(365) Understanding Suicide Trends Among Floridian Males; An Essential Component of a Men’s Health Initiative

Abstract Introduction Collecting regional health data is imperative to guide the planning and implementation of programs and policies that will ultimately improve men’s health. Suicide is a leading cause of mortality among males of all age groups within the United States. Understanding the demographics of male suicide, as well as age, racial, and ethnic disparities is critical in developing targeted solutions to this devastating problem. Objective The objectives were to identify the magnitude of male suicide within the State of Florida in terms of overall incidence. Additionally, we sought to identify age, racial, and ethnic disparities within the state, as well as any potential trends in these variables. A description of the various disparities of the modality used to commit suicide was of interest, as well. Methods Data was obtained from the United States Census Bureau, the State Department of Health, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Included within a number of reports prepared by these organizations were demographic data on population size, age, race, and ethnicity within our state. The Florida Department of Health provided health indicator data from several different sources, which included death certificates and results from the 2015 and 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). The BRFSS is an annual random sample, state-based, telephone survey used to collect data from Florida residents regarding individual health practices and risk behaviors. Finally, we used the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions’ National Center for Health Statistics Mortality in the United States Report to obtain life expectancy at birth data in Florida and in the US by both race and sex. Causes of death for suicide were coded based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10). Comparative data was developed in the context of age, race/ethnicity, and mechanism of suicide. Results Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death in Floridian men ages 18-54, accounting for 1,700 deaths annually. Floridian males have more than three times the rate of suicide deaths compared to females. In 2021, non-Hispanic and White men had the highest suicide death rate per 100,000 individuals at 24.3 and 24 respectively compared to Black men at 10.3. (see Figure 1). In 2021, firearms were used in the majority of suicide deaths across the state and all age groups, accounting for 63%. Suffocation accounted for 21%, followed by poisoning at 8%. Conclusions This study corroborates national data suggesting that suicide is a major health problem that preferentially impacts males. Racial, ethnic, and geographic health disparities among Floridian males exist as demonstrated by accumulated data on suicide death rates. This data is extremely important for Men’s Health experts to recognize and understand. A continued focus on strengthening data and research on suicide is needed to provide prevention initiatives and strategies targeted towards these vulnerable populations. Disclosure No.

Somatic Symptoms and Health Risk Behavior in Russian Youth: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: People of many countries have become more susceptible to health risk behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Modern experts have studied psychological, but not psychosomatic outcomes of this susceptibility. Objective: To examine somatic symptoms and health risk behavior, their prevalence and associations among Russian youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: In 2021–2022, 1,050 young Russians aged 18 to 25 years were surveyed. They filled out the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and a form containing questions about behavioral patterns in relation to sleep, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Among the respondents, 32 % were somatized, 79 % slept less than 7 hours a day, 89 % ate junk food, 40 % smoked regular or electronic cigarettes, 46 % often consumed alcohol, and 81 % had low physical activity. Somatization was more frequent in women, while health risk behavior was more common in men and the respondents with somatic symptoms. Conclusion: It is important to develop and implement programs of psychological education and prevention of somatization and health risk behavior.

Mediation role of perceived social support between recurrence risk perception and health behaviour among patients with stroke in China: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo examine whether patients who had a stroke with high recurrence risk perception would have healthier behaviour and to explore whether perceived social support would function as a mediator.DesignA cross-sectional...

Attitudes Toward Injury-Prevention Program Participation Based on Race and Collegiate Division in Female Athletes.

Injury-prevention programs (IPPs) have been effective in reducing lower extremity injury rates, but user compliance plays a major role in their effectiveness. Race and collegiate division may affect attitudes toward participation in IPPs and compliance in female collegiate athletes. To compare attitudes toward IPPs based on race and collegiate division. Cross-sectional study. Survey. A total of 118 female collegiate athletes (age = 19.71 ± 1.47 years, height = 169.46 ± 9.09 cm, mass = 69.57 ± 11.57 kg) volunteered. Participants completed the Health Belief Model Scale and the Theory of Planned Behavior Scale (TPBS) on 1 occasion. The Health Belief Model Scale contains 9 subscales (perceived susceptibility, perceived consequences, fear of injury, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, community-led self-efficacy, individual self-efficacy, general health cues, external health cues), whereas the TPBS has 5 subscales (perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived social norms, social influence, intention to participate). The independent variables were race (White versus Black, Indigenous, and other people of color [BIPOC]) and National Collegiate Athletic Association division (I and III). Mann-Whitney U tests were used to detect differences in attitudes toward IPP participation based on race and collegiate division. White female athletes perceived fewer TPBS barriers to participation in IPPs (P = .003) and more community-led self-efficacy when compared with BIPOC female athletes (P = .009). Division I athletes perceived a greater fear of injury (P = .002) and more general health cues (P = .01) than Division III athletes. For lower extremity IPPs, BIPOC and Division III female collegiate athletes may need different implementation strategies. Individuals who identify as BIPOC may benefit from interventions focusing on solutions for common barriers to participation and improving community-led self-efficacy, and Division III athletes may benefit from interventions focusing on education related to the risk of injury and general preventive health behaviors.

Body Dissatisfaction and Health Risk Behaviors Among Middle School Girls.

Previous studies demonstrate a relationship between body dissatisfaction and substance use and suicidal ideation among older adolescent girls and young women while less documentation exists for early adolescence. This study explored the relationship between reported weight loss attempts and substance use history and suicidal thoughts among younger female adolescents. Participants (n = 1656) were middle school female students who participated in the 2019 Youth Behaviors Risk Survey. Participants were coded as "Trying to lose weight" and "Not trying to lose weight." Two hierarchal multiple binary logistic regressions were conducted, 1 for each of the dependent variables: (1) substance use history and (2) suicidality. Fifty-seven percent of the participants were trying to lose weight, 40% reported suicidal thoughts and 45% reported substance use history. Trying to lose weight was a significant predictor for both substance use (p < .01) and suicidality (p < .001). Body dissatisfaction and its association with risky health behaviors highlight the need for prevention education at earlier ages while reinforcing the need for availability of school counselors.

7. Latent Class Models for Health Promotion and Risk Behaviors Differ from Mid-Adolescence to Young Adulthood Across Health Needs, Well-Visits, and Race/Ethnicity

7. Latent Class Models for Health Promotion and Risk Behaviors Differ from Mid-Adolescence to Young Adulthood Across Health Needs, Well-Visits, and Race/Ethnicity

Longitudinal clustering of health behaviours and their association with multimorbidity in older adults in England: A latent class analysis.

Health-risk behaviours such as smoking, unhealthy nutrition, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity (termed SNAP behaviours) are leading risk factors for multimorbidity and tend to cluster (i.e. occur in specific combinations within distinct subpopulations). However, little is known about how these clusters change with age in older adults, and whether and how cluster membership is associated with multimorbidity. Repeated measures latent class analysis using data from Waves 4-8 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA; n = 4759) identified clusters of respondents with common patterns of SNAP behaviours over time. Disease status (from Wave 9) was used to assess disorders of eight body systems, multimorbidity, and complex multimorbidity. Multinomial and binomial logistic regressions were used to examine how clusters were associated with socio-demographic characteristics and disease status. Seven clusters were identified: Low-risk (13.4%), Low-risk yet inactive (16.8%), Low-risk yet heavy drinkers (11.4%), Abstainer yet inactive (20.0%), Poor diet and inactive (12.9%), Inactive, heavy drinkers (14.5%), and High-risk smokers (10.9%). There was little evidence that these clusters changed with age. People in the clusters characterised by physical inactivity (in combination with other risky behaviours) had lower levels of education and wealth. People in the heavy drinking clusters were predominantly male. Compared to other clusters, people in the Low-risk and Low-risk yet heavy drinkers had a lower prevalence of all health conditions studied. In contrast, the Abstainer but inactive cluster comprised mostly women and had the highest prevalence of multimorbidity, complex multimorbidity, and endocrine disorders. High-risk smokers were most likely to have respiratory disorders. Health-risk behaviours tend to be stable as people age and so ought to be addressed early. We identified seven clusters of older adults with distinct patterns of behaviour, socio-demographic characteristics and multimorbidity prevalence. Intervention developers could use this information to identify high-risk subpopulations and tailor interventions to their behaviour patterns and socio-demographic profiles.

Association of early life adversity with cardiovascular disease and its potential mechanisms: a narrative review.

Strong epidemiological evidence has shown that early life adversity (ELA) has a profound negative impact on health in adulthood, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Here, we review cohort studies on the effects of ELA on cardiovascular outcomes and the possible underlying mechanisms. In addition, we summarize relevant studies in rodent models of ELA. This review reveals that the prevalence of ELA varies between regions, time periods, and sexes. ELA increases cardiovascular health risk behaviors, susceptibility to mental illnesses, and neuroendocrine and immune system dysfunction in humans. Rodent models of ELA have been developed and show similar cardiovascular outcomes to those in humans but cannot fully replicate all ELA subtypes. Therefore, combining cohort and rodent studies to further investigate the mechanisms underlying the association between ELA and cardiovascular diseases may be a feasible future research strategy.

Educational attainment and family health risk behaviors

Many studies have shown that education does play a role in personal health risk behaviors, but few studies have focused on whether education significantly affects family health risk behaviors. In this article, we aim to examine the effects of educational attainment on family health behaviors using survey data from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The ordinary least squares (OLS) approach and the instrumental variable (IV) method are adopted. Regression results show that the educational attainment of respondents has a significant inhibitory effect on household smoking participation, the number of smokers, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day, but has no significant effect on household drinking behavior. Results of mechanism analysis reveal that a one-stage increase in the population's education level would reduce the probability of smoking initiation by 7.89% and decrease the daily cigarettes consumption by 4.59. Heterogeneity analyses suggest that compared to women, men's increased educational attainment has a significant inhibitory effect on smoking participation not only for themselves but also for the rest of the household. From a health perspective, we suggest that the government should further promote the development of education.

Longitudinal Associations between Different Types of Sexting, Adolescent Mental Health, and Sexual Risk Behaviors: Moderating Effects of Gender, Ethnicity, Disability Status, and Sexual Minority Status.

The present study investigated the moderating effect of adolescent demographic variables in the longitudinal associations among different types of sexting, mental health (i.e., depression, self-harm, subjective health complaints), and sexual risk behaviors. There were 1113 adolescents (ages 14-17years; Mage = 16.36; SDage = .81; 50% female) from six high schools located in the United States included in this study. Adolescents completed questionnaires on their sexting behaviors, mental health, and sexual risk behaviors during the ninth grade; in tenth grade, they completed questionnaires on mental health and sexual risk behaviors. Non-consensual sexting and pressured sexting were both related positively to each of the mental health variables and sexual risk behaviors. The relationship between non-consensual sexting and depressive symptoms was stronger for girls, ethnic minorities, those adolescents with disabilities, and sexual minorities. Similar patterns were found for pressured sexting, non-suicidal self-harm, and subjective health complaints. The relationships between pressured sexting and sexual risk behaviors were stronger for girls, ethnic minorities, those adolescents with disabilities, and those who identified as sexual minorities. Research focused on the relationships among different types of sexting, mental health, and sexual risk behaviors is important as such research facilitates the development of evidence-based recommendations for sexting harm prevention and sexual education programs.

Cross-Border Migration and Its Influence on Mental Health Dynamics in Thailand: An Empirical Analysis of Provincial Data

While previous research has examined the impact of cross-border migrants on economic development and other social issues, limited studies have focused on the potential effects of migrants on the mental health of the native population. This paper investigates the impact of cross-border migrants on the mental health of natives in Thailand, considering various mental health disorders. This study analyzes 77 provincial data sets from 2016 to 2021 using a spatial panel autoregressive model. The findings suggest that the presence of migrants did not have an adverse influence on the mental health of the native population at a 5% significance level. Notably, there is a reduction in the prevalence of substance abuse disorders associated with the presence of migrants at the 5% significance level. Additionally, unemployment, education, public health services, technological infrastructure, health risk behavior, and age are significant contributors to the mental health of natives at a 5% significance level. The study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to developing effective mental health policies and initiatives that address these multiple contributors.

Prevalence and associated factors for poor mental health among young migrants in Sweden: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background Young migrants face multiple challenges that can affect their mental, sexual and reproductive health. Objective To assess the prevalence of self-reported poor mental health and its associated demographic, post-migration and sexual risk behaviour factors among young migrants (aged 15–25) in Sweden. Methods Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey conducted with migrants aged 15–65 years old in Sweden between December 2018 and November 2019 (n = 6449). Among these, 990 participants aged 15–25 were eligible for the study. Mental health was measured using the Refugee Health Screener-13. Missing data indicator analysis and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the association between mental health, sexual risk behaviour, demographic and migration-related variables. Results Of the 990 participants, 59% reported poor mental health. Participants reporting poor mental health were more likely to be female (AOR:1.63, 95% CI:1.18–2.25), to have lived in Sweden more than three years (AOR:2.16, 95% CI:1.17–3.97), to engage in any sexual risk behaviour (AOR:1.99, 95% CI:1.25–3.17), and to live alone (AOR:1.95, 95% CI:1.25–3.03) or with friends they already knew (AOR:1.60, 95% CI:1.37–4.91). People arriving from the Americas (AOR:0.54, 95% CI:0.33–0.88), Asia (AOR:0.44, 95% CI:0.22–0.86), Europe (AOR:0.30, 95% CI:0.14–0.61) and Africa (AOR 0.37, 95% CI: 0.23–0.60) had lower odds of poor mental health than those arriving from Syria. Conclusion The prevalence of poor mental health among young migrants in Sweden was high, with specific subgroups (women, asylum seekers, people arriving from Syria, and those residing longer in Sweden) being particularly vulnerable. Our results indicate the interconnectedness between poor mental health and sexual risk behaviour in this population. Thus, policies targeting young migrants should ensure that healthcare services screen for both poor sexual and mental health at the same time.

Exploring the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adolescent cancer risk behaviours in the ALSPAC cohort

BackgroundSome modifiable risk factors for cancer originate during adolescence. While there is evidence indicating relationships between adverse childhood experiences and health risk behaviours generally, little is known about how childhood adversity influences the engagement of adolescents in cancer risk behaviours. This study aimed to determine the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adolescent cancer risk behaviours.MethodsData were collected prospectively from birth to age 18 years on children born to mothers enrolled into the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort study. Multivariable linear regression models assessed relationships of a composite exposure measure comprised of adverse childhood experiences (total number of childhood adversities experienced from early infancy until age 9 years) with multiple cancer risk behaviours. The latter was expressed as a single continuous score for tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, unsafe sex, and physical inactivity, at ages 11, 14, 16 and 18 years. Analysis was carried out on the complete case and imputation samples of 1,368 and 7,358 participants respectively.ResultsAll adolescent cancer risk behaviours increased in prevalence as the adolescents grew older, except for obesity. Each additional adverse childhood experience was associated with a 0.25 unit increase in adolescent cancer risk behaviour (95% CI 0.16–0.34; p < 0.001). Individually, parental substance misuse (β 0.64, 95% CI 0.25–1.03, p < 0.001) and parental separation (β 0.56, 95% CI 0.27–0.86, p < 0.001) demonstrated the strongest evidence of association with engagement in adolescent cancer risk behaviour.ConclusionChildhood adversity was associated with a greater degree of engagement in adolescent cancer risk behaviours. This finding demonstrates the need for targeted primary and secondary prevention interventions that reduce engagement across multiple cancer risk behaviours for children and adolescents who have experienced adversity in childhood, such as parental substance misuse and separation, and reduce exposure to adversity.

Poor Physical Health in Caregivers of Children with ADHD or ASD and its Association with Health Risk Behaviours: NHIS 2016-2018.

There is a dearth of evidence regarding physical health problems and health risk behaviours (e.g., drinking, physical inactivity, smoking, and suboptimal sleep behaviour) in caregivers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder (CCAA). The purposes of the current study were to examine differences in physical health problems between CCAA and caregivers of children without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder (CCWAA) and to explore health risk behaviours associated with those problems. Data from the 2016-2018 National Health Interview Survey were used in the current study. 10 common physical health problems were compared between CCAA and CCWAA by using multivariable logistic regressions. In addition, in order to detect associated health risk behaviours, decision tree analysis was performed for physical health problems in CCAA. Of the 10 physical health problems, caregivers of children with ADHD showed significantly higher likelihood of experiencing nine (arthritis, asthma, back pain, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart problems, hypertension, neck pain, obesity), compared to CCWAA. Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed significantly higher likelihoods of experiencing two physical health problems compared to CCWAA. The decision tree analysis revealed that age (> 42 years), and suboptimal sleep behaviour (not 7-8hours), and smoking (current smoker) were the frequent predictors for physical health problems in CCAA. The results of the current study represent an important milestone in further investigating physical health problems in CCAA.

Sickness absence and associations with sociodemographic factors, health risk behaviours, occupational stressors and adverse mental health in 40,343 UK police employees.

Police employees may experience high levels of stress due to the challenging nature of their work which can then lead to sickness absence. To date, there has been limited research on sickness absence in the police. This exploratory analysis investigated sickness absence in UK police employees. Secondary data analyses were conducted using data from the Airwave Health Monitoring Study (2006-2015). Past year sickness absence was self-reported and categorised as none, low (1-5 days), moderate (6-19 days) and long-term sickness absence (LTSA, 20 or more days). Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine sickness absence and exploratory associations with sociodemographic factors, occupational stressors, health risk behaviours, and mental health outcomes, controlling for rank, gender and age. From a sample of 40,343 police staff and police officers, forty-six per cent had no sickness absence within the previous year, 33% had a low amount, 13% a moderate amount and 8% were on LTSA. The groups that were more likely to take sick leave were women, non-uniformed police staff, divorced or separated, smokers and those with three or more general practitioner consultations in the past year, poorer mental health, low job satisfaction and high job strain. The study highlights the groups of police employees who may be more likely to take sick leave and is unique in its use of a large cohort of police employees. The findings emphasise the importance of considering possible modifiable factors that may contribute to sickness absence in UK police forces.

Chronic pain-mental health comorbidity and excess prevalence of health risk behaviours: a cross-sectional study.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain and anxiety/depression are significant public health problems. We hypothesised that adults with both conditions constitute a group at especially high risk of future cardiovascular health outcomes. To determine whether having comorbid chronic musculoskeletal pain and anxiety/depression is associated with the excess prevalence of selected known cardiovascular health risk behaviours. A cross-sectional survey of adults aged 35+ years randomly sampled from 26 GP practice registers in West Midlands, England. Respondents were classified into four groups based on self-reported presence/absence of chronic musculoskeletal pain (pain present on most days for six months) and anxiety or depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score 11+). Standardised binomial models were used to estimate standardised prevalence ratios and prevalence differences between the four groups in self-reported obesity, tobacco smoking, physical inactivity, and unhealthy alcohol consumption after controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, employment status and educational attainment. The excess prevalence of each risk factor in the group with chronic musculoskeletal pain-anxiety/depression comorbidity was estimated. Totally, 14519 respondents were included, of whom 1329 (9%) reported comorbid chronic musculoskeletal pain-anxiety/depression, 3612 (25%) chronic musculoskeletal pain only, 964 (7%) anxiety or depression only, and 8614 (59%) neither. Those with comorbid chronic musculoskeletal pain-anxiety/depression had the highest crude prevalence of obesity (41%), smoking (16%) and physical inactivity (83%) but the lowest for unhealthy alcohol consumption (18%). After controlling for covariates, the standardised prevalence ratios and differences for the comorbid group compared with those with neither chronic musculoskeletal pain nor anxiety/depression were as follows: current smoking [1.86 (95% CI 1.58, 2.18); 6.8%], obesity [1.93 (1.76, 2.10); 18.9%], physical inactivity [1.21 (1.17, 1.24); 14.3%] and unhealthy alcohol consumption [0.81 (0.71, 0.92); -5.0%]. The standardised prevalences of smoking and obesity in the comorbid group exceeded those expected from simple additive interaction.

Changes in tobacco use and associated factors among Brazilian adolescents: National Student Health Survey.

This cross-sectional study used data from Brazil's National Student Health Survey (PeNSE), from 2015 and 2019, to compare consumption of tobacco products among adolescent students in Brazil and identify associated factors. The study variables were current cigarette smoking, use of other tobacco products and use of any tobacco product. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to ascertain associations between the variables; bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. Cigarette smoking remained stable between 2015 (6.6%) and 2019 (6.8%), but use of any tobacco product increased (from 10.6% in 2015 to 14.8% in 2019), involving particularly hookahs (7.8%) and e-cigarettes (2.8%). Cigarette smoking was greater among adolescents aged 16 and 17, whose skin colour was black or brown, who missed classes without permission, who reported having no friends, displayed other risk factors, such as drinking alcoholic beverages, or who were passive smokers. The prevalence of smoking has increased over the years and is associated with sociodemographic aspects and other health risk behaviour, highlighting the need for lifelong health promotion actions.

Mudanças no uso do tabaco entre adolescentes brasileiros e fatores associados: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar

Abstract This cross-sectional study used data from Brazil’s National Student Health Survey (PeNSE), from 2015 and 2019, to compare consumption of tobacco products among adolescent students in Brazil and identify associated factors. The study variables were current cigarette smoking, use of other tobacco products and use of any tobacco product. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to ascertain associations between the variables; bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. Cigarette smoking remained stable between 2015 (6.6%) and 2019 (6.8%), but use of any tobacco product increased (from 10.6% in 2015 to 14.8% in 2019), involving particularly hookahs (7.8%) and e-cigarettes (2.8%). Cigarette smoking was greater among adolescents aged 16 and 17, whose skin colour was black or brown, who missed classes without permission, who reported having no friends, displayed other risk factors, such as drinking alcoholic beverages, or who were passive smokers. The prevalence of smoking has increased over the years and is associated with sociodemographic aspects and other health risk behaviour, highlighting the need for lifelong health promotion actions.