Prevalence of risk behaviors in young university students

Objetivo: Conhecer a prevalência de comportamentos de risco em adulto jovem e universitário. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 210 universitários com idades entre 18 a 24 anos. O instrumento de pesquisa foi um questionário validado National College Health Risk Behavior Survey. Para analise dos dados, utilizaram-se estatística descritiva, analise bivariada e coeficientes de regressão logística. Resultados: Dentre os estudantes, 40% consumiram álcool, 25% apresentaram excesso de peso, 19% utilizaram motocicletas para transporte e 6% relataram tentativa de suicídio. Consumo de álcool, excesso de peso e pratica de atividades esportivas associaram-se aos homens. Tentativa de suicídio e hábitos alimentares mais saudáveis associaram-se as mulheres. Conclusão: Os participantes adotaram comportamentos que colocaram a saúde em risco, sendo essa atitude mais frequentes nos homens. O consumo de álcool foi o comportamento de risco mais prevalente nessa população.Objective: To assess the prevalence of risk behaviors in young university students. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 210 university students aged between 18 and 24. The applied research instrument was a validated questionnaire called National College Health Risk Behavior Survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and logistic regression. Results: Among the studied individuals, 40% ingested alcohol, 25% were overweight, 19% used motorcycles as a means of transportation, and 6% reported suicide attempts. Alcohol consumption, overweight and practicing sports were associated with men. Suicide attempts and healthier eating habits were associated with women. Conclusion: Participants adopted behaviors that risked their health status, being such attitude more frequently observed among men. Alcohol consumption was the most prevalent risk behavior in this population