Sexual risk behavior and knowledge about sexually transmitted infections in a university population in Sorocaba, Brazil / Comportamento sexual de risco e conhecimento sobre infecções sexualmente transmissíveis em uma população universitária na cidade de Sorocaba/SP

INTRODUCTION: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health problem to which young people are highly exposed and knowledge about vulnerabilities that affect them is needed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge about STIs and sexual behavior of a university population in the city of Sorocaba/SP. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with data collection realized by an online application with qualitative and quantitative characteristics. RESULTS: Four hundred and seventy-seven (477) university students from different areas of knowledge were analyzed. The majority pointed to the beginning of sexual life between 15 and 18 years old. Information about sex education was obtained mainly through parents and/ or guardians, while little additional knowledge was obtained after entering higher education. Biological and Health Sciences students achieved a higher score on the knowledge questionnaire and were less likely (0.391) to contract STIs when compared to Applied Social Sciences or Engineering students (2.8 and 2.9 more likely, respectively). CONCLUSION: Students who demonstrated greater knowledge about STIs and acquired more information on the subject during graduation were less likely to become infected, suggesting that campaigns aimed at the university public are essential for the prevention and control of these pathogens.

INTRODUÇÃO: As infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) são um grande problema de saúde pública, ao qual os jovens apresentam alta exposição, sendo necessário um maior conhecimento sobre as vulnerabilidades que os acometem. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre as IST e o comportamento sexual de uma população universitária na cidade de Sorocaba/SP. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo descritivo, de corte transversal, com a coleta de dados realizada por meio de aplicação online de questionário com características qualitativas e quantitativas. RESULTADOS: Quatrocentos e setenta e sete (477) universitários de diferentes áreas de conhecimento foram avaliados. A maioria dos relatos apontou para o início da vida sexual entre 15 e 18 anos. As informações sobre educação sexual foram obtidas principalmente por intermédio dos pais e/ou responsáveis, enquanto pouco conhecimento adicional foi obtido após o ingresso no Ensino Superior. Estudantes de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde alcançaram o maior score no questionário sobre conhecimento e apresentaram chances menores (0,391) de contrair IST, quando comparados aos estudantes de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas ou Engenharias (2,8 e 2,9 mais chances, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: Os estudantes que demonstraram maior conhecimento sobre as IST e que adquiriram mais informações sobre o tema durante a graduação apresentaram chances menores de se infectar, o que sugere que campanhas destinadas ao público universitário são essenciais para a prevenção e o controle desses patógenos.

Perceived Neighbourhood Disorder, Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Related Problems in Chile.

Background: Alcohol misuse is one of the most important preventable public health risk factors. Empirical research shows that alcohol misuse is related to social and economic losses. Both theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that neighborhood disorder impacts alcohol-related behavior. However, there is limited literature in the context of developing countries. Objectives: The aim of this research is to estimate the association between perceived neighborhood disorder and (1) alcohol-related behavior and (2) alcohol-related problems in the context of the Chilean population. Our contribution focuses on the examination of the perception of disorder in urban neighborhoods and alcohol use patterns in a wide age range and sample of Chilean cities. Results: High levels of neighbor disorder perception are associated with higher levels of drinking and hazardous alcohol use. In addition, perceived neighborhood disorder is directly associated with probability of alcohol-related problems (ranging from 2% to 11%). Conclusions/Importance: The results are consistent with empirical and theoretical frameworks. This research could be used to better guide place-based policies in emerging countries with high levels of alcohol consumption to prevent alcohol risk behaviors and alcohol-related problems.

Prevalence and correlates of unintentional nonfatal injuries among school-going adolescents in Central America.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to report on the frequency of serious physical injuries (SPI) among adolescents in Central America during the previous decade, 2009-2018. METHODS: In total, 15,807 school adolescents (14.4 years mean age; SD=1.4) from six Central American countries participated in cross-sectional Global School-based Student Health Surveys in 2009-2018 (ranging from 1,779 students in Honduras in 2012 to 4,374 students in Guatemala in 2015). RESULTS: The prevalence of SPI was 33.8 % (22.9 % once, 7.4 % 2 or 3 times and 3.6 % 4 or more times), ranging from 31.8 % in Guatemala to 45.0 % in Belize and 45.6 % in Panama. The most frequent causes of SPI included fall (11.4 %, ranging from 6.9 % in Costa Rica to 15.6 % in Panama), and the type of SPI was fracture/dislocation (5.7 %, ranging from 4.3 % in Costa Rica to 6.7 % in Panama). In adjusted Poisson regression, male sex, food insecurity, a history of alcohol intoxication, soft drink consumption, fast food intake, truancy, multiple sexual partners, psychological distress, physical fight, physically attacked, bullied, and suicide attempt were significantly associated with a higher number of injury event counts. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, about one in three adolescents in Central America had sustained unintentional injuries in the past 12 months and several contributing factors were identified which if addressed could aid injury prevention among adolescents.

Is Binge Drinking Associated With Specific Types of Exercise and Free Time Sports? A Pooled Analysis With 718,147 Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between exercise and free time sport types and binge drinking in a large sample of adults. METHODS: Data of 718,147 adults from the "Surveillance of Risk and Protection Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey" were used. We described the demographic and behavioral variables, and negative binomial regression analyzed the association between exercise and free time sport types and binge drinking adjusted by demographics variables, body mass index status, and television time. RESULTS: Outdoor walking/running was the most common exercise reported (20.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 19.8%-20.2%), followed by team sports (8.1%; 95% CI, 8.0%-8.2%) and strengthening (8.0%; 95% CI, 7.9%-8.1%). The prevalence of binge drinking for each exercise and free time sport type ranged from 6.9% (water aerobics) to 31.9% (team sports). Participants engaging in strengthening (prevalence ratio = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.04-1.21, P = .002) and team sports (prevalence ratio = 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07-1.17, P < .001) were more likely to binge drink more frequently in the past 30 days than inactive participants. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that the participants' profile plays an important role in the underlying social context of this association. Participants with more frequent strengthening and less frequent team sports practice, who were primarily younger and single, were more likely to binge drink frequently.

Efeito da intervenção breve on-line para redução do uso de álcool durante a pandemia da COVID-19 / Effect of brief online intervention to reduce alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic

O estudo teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos da intervenção breve on-line para a redução do uso de álcool durante a pandemia da COVID-19, bem como compreender as motivações desse consumo. Trata-se de um estudo de métodos mistos, com a parte quantitativa referente a um ensaio clínico não randomizado. Na parte qualitativa, foram realizadas entrevistas audiogravadas. Quanto à coleta de dados iniciais, foi disponibilizado um questionário on-line, por meio do Google Forms. Informações sociodemográficas; o Teste de Identificação dos Problemas relacionados ao Uso de Álcool - Consumo (AUDIT-C); e (iii) Teste de triagem do envolvimento com álcool, cigarro e outras substâncias (ASSIST) foram usados. Na segunda etapa, foi aplicado o Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES 8A), e no pós-teste foi aplicado um questionário sobre a satisfação com a intervenção. Para a comparação dos grupos, utilizou-se o teste de Wilcoxon. Durante a intervenção, as entrevistas foram audiogravadas, transcritas e avaliadas por meio de análise temática. O estudo foi conduzido em seis etapas: (i) recrutamento dos participantes; (ii) verificação dos níveis de motivação para mudança de comportamento em relação ao uso de álcool; (iii) ensaio clínico não randomizado; (iv) realização das intervenções breves por videochamada e entrevista qualitativa; (v) Pós-teste; (vi) reavaliação do consumo. O Grupo Controle não recebeu intervenção. Participaram 589 pessoas na primeira etapa, 171 na segunda, e 119 na terceira etapa. No pós-teste, o grupo experimental modificou o comportamento de beber (AUDIT-C (p<0,001), na frequência e quantidade de doses (p<0,001) e no consumo em binge (p<0,001). Os participantes do grupo controle reduziram o consumo AUDIT-C (p=0,035) em termos de frequência de uso (p=0,024), porém não reduziram o número de doses e o consumo no padrão binge (p>0,05). As motivações para o aumento do consumo de álcool antes da intervenção foram relacionadas ao maior tempo ocioso em casa, isolamento, home-office, tédio, estresse, ansiedade, ausência de eventos festivos, busca por lazer e diversão. Os achados apresentados fornecem subsídios para a implementação de intervenções breves por meio de videochamada, como um recurso importante para a prática clínica dos profissionais de saúde.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of the brief online intervention to reduce alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to understand the motivations for this consumption. This is a mixed methods study, with the quantitative part referring to a non-randomized clinical trial. In the qualitative part, audio-recorded interviews were conducted. As for the initial data collection, an online questionnaire was made available through Google Forms. Sociodemographic information; the Identification Test for Problems Related to Alcohol Use - Consumption (AUDIT-C); and (iii) Alcohol, Cigarette and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) were used. In the second stage, the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES 8A) was applied, and in the post-test, a questionnaire on satisfaction with the intervention was applied. To compare the groups, the Wilcoxon test was used. During the intervention, the interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and evaluated through thematic analysis.The study was conducted in six stages: (i) recruitment of participants; (ii) verification of levels of motivation to change behavior in relation to alcohol use; (iii) non-randomized clinical trial; (iv) conducting brief interventions via video call and qualitative interview; (v) Post-test; (vi) reassessment of consumption. The Control Group received no intervention. 589 people participated in the first stage, 171 in the second and 119 in the third stage. In the post-test, the experimental group modified drinking behavior (AUDIT-C (p<0.001), frequency and quantity of drinks (p<0.001) and binge drinking (p<0.001). Participants in the control group reduced AUDIT-C consumption (p=0.035) in terms of frequency of use (p=0.024), but did not reduce the number of doses and binge consumption (p>0.05). alcohol consumption before the intervention were related to longer idle time at home, isolation, home office, boredom, stress, anxiety, absence of festive events, search for leisure and fun. The findings presented provide subsidies for the implementation of brief interventions by video call, as an important resource for the clinical practice of health professionals.

Suicide risk in high school students: who are the most vulnerable groups? / Risco de suicídio em estudantes do ensino médio: quem são os grupos mais vulneráveis?

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with suicide risk among high school students from a federal educational institution in Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on a census of students (n=510) enrolled in IFRS, campus Rio Grande, in the second half of 2019. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Suicide risk was measured with the instrument Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and data were analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance adjustment. Results: The prevalence of high suicide risk was 17.3% (95% confidence interval — 95%CI 14.0-20.0), with the following independent associated factors: female gender, higher socioeconomic status, alcohol consumption, less social support, attempt to lose weight, self-harm behavior, and increased risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusions: One in six students showed a high suicide risk. The identification of factors associated with the outcome is useful for detecting the most severe cases and referring them to specialized care.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao risco de suicídio em estudantes do ensino médio de uma instituição federal de ensino do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS). Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com base em um censo de estudantes (n=510) matriculados no IFRS, Campus Rio Grande, no segundo semestre de 2019. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário autoaplicável. O risco de suicídio foi medido com o instrumento Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview e a análise dos dados foi conduzida por meio de regressão de Poisson com ajuste robusto da variância. Resultados: A prevalência do risco alto de suicídio foi de 17,3% (intervalo de confiança — IC95% 14,0-20,0), tendo como fatores independentemente associados: sexo feminino, maior nível socioeconômico, consumo de álcool, menor suporte social, tentativa de perder peso, comportamento autolesivo e maior risco de depressão, ansiedade e estresse. Conclusões: Um em cada seis estudantes apresentou elevado risco de suicídio. A identificação dos fatores associados ao desfecho é útil para identificar os casos mais graves e encaminhá-los para atendimento especializado.

Metabolic syndrome in people with HIV from Guatemala: analysis of components and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: People with HIV (PWH) in Latin America are at a greater risk of developing comorbidities due to the increasing burden of obesity and metabolic syndrome in the region. We explored the associations between social, cardiovascular and HIV-related risk factors with metabolic syndrome in PWH from Guatemala. METHODS: Cross-sectional study analyzing demographic, clinical and laboratory data from PWH. Metabolic syndrome diagnosis and components are defined by the harmonized Joint Scientific Statement criteria. Data were collected from July 2019 to March 2020 and analyzed using correlations and logistic regression. RESULTS: Median age was 39 years [IQR 31-48], 56.8% of participants were male and 31.5% (n = 266, 95% CI 0.28-0.34) had metabolic syndrome. Age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05, p <0.001), urban dweller (aOR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.00-2.18, p = 0.049), low physical activity (aOR: 1.45, 95% CI 1.01-2.08, p = 0.046), hyperuricemia (aOR: 3.31, 95% CI 1.93-5.67, p <0.001), current CD4+ T cell count < 200 cells/mm3 (aOR: 1.96, 95% CI 1.19-3.23, p = 0.009), 6 months of efavirenz (aOR: 1.89, 95% CI 1.29-2.77, p = 0.001), and obesity (aOR: 37.0, 95% CI 7.70-178.2, p < 0.001) were independently associated with metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this study was high and driven mainly by social and cardiovascular risk factors such as age, urban dwelling, obesity, hyperuricemia and low physical activity. Efavirenz use and CD4 count were the only HIV-related factors associated with metabolic syndrome.

General Versus Vocational Education in High School: Cross-Sectional Associations with Student's Health.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between course type and health among high school students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 675 Brazilian high school students. The independent variable was course type (general or vocational) and dependent variables were health characteristics. All information was obtained by a self-report questionnaire and the following health characteristics were analyzed: mental health, physical activity, sedentary behavior, food consumption, daytime sleepiness, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, aggression, and musculoskeletal symptoms. The prevalence ratio (PR) was estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS: Vocational students presented a higher prevalence in 7 of the 20 mental health symptoms analyzed (PR = 1.21-1.64), daytime sleepiness (PR = 1.39-1.71), and musculoskeletal symptoms in neck, shoulders, low back, and knees (PR = 1.31-1.41), and a lower likelihood of being physically active (PR = 0.59-0.70). Conversely, vocational students showed lower sedentary behavior on TV and videogames during the week (PR = 0.35-0.46), consumption of snacks, cookies, and crackers (PR = 0.56-0.72), and experiences of aggression (PR = 0.13-0.17), all P < .05. CONCLUSIONS: High school can affect students' health distinctly, indicating that intervention programs and health monitoring should be specific to course type.

In a life full of risks, COVID-19 makes little difference. Responses to COVID-19 among mobile migrants in gold mining areas in Suriname and French Guiana.

Worldwide, the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 disproportionally affect vulnerable groups in society. This paper assesses responses to, and impacts of, the pandemic among mobile migrant populations who work in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in Suriname and French Guiana. These populations are characterized by poverty, informal or illegal status, and limited access to health care and information. Field research in Suriname (November 2020-January 2021) and French Guiana (January, May, June 2021) included qualitative interviews, informal conversations and observations, and a quantitative survey with 361 men and women in ASGM communities. Contrary to reports from the ASGM sector elsewhere, interviewed inhabitants of ASGM areas in Suriname and French Guiana showed little concern about COVID-19. Respondents reported feeling safer in the forest where they work than in the urban areas or in their home country. Trust in home remedies and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals further reduced anxiety about the pandemic. Three-quarters of survey respondents reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had not affected their work or income at all. The researchers conclude that in these remote Amazon communities, responses to COVID-19 mirror attitudes and behavior vis-à-vis malaria and other health risks: self-medicate, ignore, and pray. Living on the margins of society mitigates the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19, as containment measures are not applied to these socially invisible populations. Whereas the urban poor are severely hit by the pandemic, this hidden population benefits from high gold prices, an outdoors lifestyle, and traditional resourcefulness in dealing with a life full of risks.

Factors associated with viremia in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Guatemala.

INTRODUCTION: Viral suppression prevents HIV transmission and disease progression, but socio-economic and clinical factors can hinder the goal of suppression. We evaluated factors associated with viral non suppression (VNS) and persistent viremia (PV) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Guatemala. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional analysis using data from an ongoing cohort of PLHIV attending the largest HIV clinic in Guatemala. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted between PLHIV with viral suppression and detectable viremia. VNS was defined as most recent HIV RNA ≥ 200 copies/ml and PV as two consecutive HIV RNA ≥ 200 copies/ml. RESULTS: Of 664 participants, 13.3% had VNS and 7.1% had PV. In univariable analysis disaggregated by gender, low income, poor education, perceived difficulty attending healthcare, and alcohol use were associated with VNS in men while low CD4 at diagnosis, multiple prior ART regimens and treatment interruptions were significant in both genders. Multiple prior ART regimens (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 2.82, [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.59, 4.99], p < 0.01), treatment interruptions (aOR 4.51, [95% CI 2.13, 9.58], p < 0.01), excessive alcohol consumption (aOR 2.56, [95% CI 1.18, 5.54], p < 0.05) perceived difficulty attending healthcare (aOR 2.07, [ 95% CI 1.25, 3.42], p < 0.01) and low CD4 at diagnosis (aOR 2.34, 95% [CI 1.30, 4.20], p < 0.01) were independently associated with VNS on multivariable regression. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that socio-economic and clinical factors influence viral suppression in our cohort and vary between men and women. Gender specific approaches are necessary to achieve the 90% suppression goal.

Incidence of physical inactivity and excessive screen time during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: what are the most affected population groups?

PURPOSE: Our aim was to verify the incidence of physical inactivity and excessive screen time during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among Brazilian adults, as well as to identify subgroups that are more affected by the quarantine actions. METHODS: The data of 39,693 Brazilian adults were collected through an online questionnaire between April 24th and May 24th, 2020. Information about physical activity (weekly frequency and daily duration), TV viewing, and computer/tablet use (daily duration) before and during the pandemic period were reported. The correlates adopted were sex, age group, highest academic achievement, skin color, per capita income, country macro region, working status during the quarantine, and adherence to the quarantine. Logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: The incidence of physical inactivity (<150 min/week), high TV viewing (≥4 h/d), and computer/tablet use (≥4 h/d), were, respectively, 70.4%, 31.4%, and 37.9% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The younger age group showed higher incidences of physical inactivity (78%) and high computer/tablet use (59%), while middle-age adults (30-59 years) showed a higher incidence of TV viewing (34%). People who adhered to stricter measures of quarantine presented a higher incidence of excessive screen time. CONCLUSION: High incidences of physical inactivity and excessive screen time were identified in specific population subgroups during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Conductas de riesgo para la salud en adolescentes escolarizados del municipio de Tabio, Colombia / Health-risk behaviors in school-based adolescents in Tabio, Colombia

RESUMEN Objetivos Identificar los comportamientos de riesgo para la salud y describir su relación con las características sociodemográficas en los adolescentes de un colegio del municipio de Tabio, provincia de Sabana Centro, Cundinamarca, Colombia. Metodología Estudio descriptivo y de corte transversal en población adolescente escolar de 14 a 19 años, durante el año 2018, elegidos por medio de muestreo por conveniencia. Se obtuvo información mediante el cuestionario en español de la herramienta RAAPS (Rapid Assessment for Adolescent Preventive Services), que evaluó los comportamientos de riesgo, previa firma de consentimiento y asentimiento informado. Se realizó análisis estadístico en el programa STATA versión 14.0. Resultados Se incluyó una muestra de 217 estudiantes, con edad promedio de 15,8 años (53% mujeres y 47% hombres). La mayoría de zona rural y estrato 2. Dentro de los comportamientos de riesgo detectados se destacan la falta de uso de cinturón de seguridad y casco en casi la mitad de los participantes, síntomas de tristeza en 37,3% (que afecta más a las mujeres), consumo de alcohol en el 45,2% y actividad sexual en el 30,9% (son más frecuentes en el grupo de 17 a 19 años y en el sexo masculino). Conclusión Los hallazgos confirman la presencia de comportamientos de riesgo para la salud en los adolescentes de la población estudiada, que deben ser intervenidos a través de estrategias preventivas efectivas y que alertan sobre la necesidad de implementar un sistema periódico de vigilancia.

ABSTRACT Objective to identify health-risk behavior and describe their correlation with sociodemo-graphic characteristics in a group of adolescents from a school located in Tabio, Sabana Centro, Cundinamarca. Methodology A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in school adoles-cents from 14 to 19 years of age during 2018; chosen by convenience sampling. The information was collected using the Spanish version of the RAAPS questionnaire (Rapid assessment for preventive services for adolescents) that assesses risk behaviors, signing of informed consent and assent prior. The statistical analysis was performed in the STATA program, version 14.0. Results A sample of 217 students was included, the average age was 15.8 years, 53% were women and 47% were men, most of them from the rural area and socioeconomic status 2. Among the main risk behaviors were never wearing a belt of safety or helmet in almost half of the adolescents, symptoms of sadness in 37.3% with higher prevalence in women, alcohol consumption in 45.2% and sexual activity in 30.9%, both being more fre-quent in the group of 17 to 19 years old and male. Conclusion The results confirmed the presence of health risk behaviors in the adolescents of studied population, who must be intervened through effective preventive strategies and warn about the need to implement a periodic surveillance system.

Social-Ecological Correlates of Regular Leisure-Time Physical Activity Practice among Adults.

This study calculated the exposure-response rates of social-ecological correlates of practicing regular (>150 min/week) leisure-time physical activity (PA) in 393,648 adults from the 27 Brazilian state capitals who participated in a national survey between 2006 and 2016. Regular PA encouraging factors were inputted into an exposure-response model. Growth rates for the odds ratio and prevalence of regular PA were calculated for each increase of one encouraging factor. Regular PA was reported by 22% of the participants (25% of men and 20% of women). More than 40% of men and 30% of women with higher intra-personal encouraging conditions reported practicing regular PA. There was a 3% (ages 18-32 years) to 5% (ages 46-60 years) increase in regular PA practice in men for each increase in an encouraging climate factor (temperature from 21 °C to 31 °C, humidity from 65% to 85%, 2430 to 3250 h of sun/year, and from 1560 to 1910 mm of rain/year). Encouraging intra-personal factors and favorable climate conditions had larger effects on regular PA practice than the built environment and socio-political conditions; the latter two had independent effects, but did not have a cumulative effect on PA.

The combined relations of gender, enculturation, and depressive symptoms with health risk behaviors in Mexican-Americans: a moderated mediation analysis.

Objectives: The present study investigated the relationships of enculturation and depressive symptoms with health risk behavior engagement in Mexican-American college students and examined how these relationships differed by gender. Previous research has noted consistent gender differences in health risk behavior (e.g. alcohol use, substance use, and risky sexual behavior) among Latina/os, and emphasized the role of U.S. acculturation in this difference. Research examining the role of heritage cultural retention (i.e. enculturation), and including the added influence of mental health variables, such as depressive symptoms, is currently lacking. This study sought to address this gap.Design: A large sample (N = 677) of Mexican-American college students from four universities (located in New York, California, Florida, and Texas) completed an online questionnaire assessing health risk behaviors and corresponding variables.Results: We found that males who endorsed more behavioral enculturation and depressive symptoms were more likely to engage in health risk behavior than all others in the sample. Contrary to previous literature, no relationship was found between behavioral enculturation and health risk behavior in females.Conclusion: The current study found behavioral enculturation to be associated with depressive symptoms, and in turn with health risk behaviors among the males in our sample. Additional research will be needed to identify the mechanism underlying the relationship between enculturation and depressive symptoms as well as between depressive symptoms and risky behavior.

The role of city income inequality, sex ratio and youth mortality rates in the effect of violent victimization on health-risk behaviors in Brazilian adolescents.

This study integrates insights from evolutionary psychology and social epidemiology to present a novel approach to contextual effects on health-risk behaviors (unprotected sex, drunkenness episodes, drugs and tobacco experimentation) among adolescents. Using data from the 2012 Brazilian National Survey of Adolescent Health (PeNSE), we first analyzed the effects of self-reported violent victimization on health-risk behaviors of 47,371 adolescents aged 10-19 nested in the 26 Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District. We then explored whether the magnitude of these associations was correlated with cues of environmental harshness and unpredictability (youth external mortality and income inequality) and mating competition (sex ratio) from the city level. Results indicated that self-reported violent victimization is associated with an increased chance of engagement in health-risk behaviors in all Brazilian state capitals, for both males and females, but the magnitude of these associations varies in relation to broader environmental factors, such as the cities' age-specific mortality rates, and specifically for females, income inequality and sex ratio. In addition to introducing a novel theoretical and empirical approach to contextual effects on adolescent health-risk behaviors, our findings reinforce the need to consider synergies between people's life experiences and the conditions where they live, when studying health-risk behaviors in adolescence.

Adaptation of a counseling intervention to address multiple cancer risk factors among overweight/obese Latino smokers.

More than 60% of cancer-related deaths in the United States are attributable to tobacco use, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity, and these risk factors tend to cluster together. Thus, strategies for cancer risk reduction would benefit from addressing multiple health risk behaviors. We adapted an evidence-based intervention grounded in social cognitive theory and principles of motivational interviewing originally developed for smoking cessation to also address physical activity and fruit/vegetable consumption among Latinos exhibiting multiple health risk behaviors. Literature reviews, focus groups, expert consultation, pretesting, and pilot testing were used to inform adaptation decisions. We identified common mechanisms underlying change in smoking, physical activity, and diet used as treatment targets; identified practical models of patient-centered cross-cultural service provision; and identified that family preferences and support as particularly strong concerns among the priority population. Adaptations made to the original intervention are described. The current study is a practical example of how an intervention can be adapted to maximize relevance and acceptability and also maintain the core elements of the original evidence-based intervention. The intervention has significant potential to influence cancer prevention efforts among Latinos in the United States and is being evaluated in a sample of 400 Latino overweight/obese smokers.

Exposição ao tabagismo entre escolares no Brasil / Smoking exposure among school children in Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever a exposição ao tabagismo de participantes da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) e identificar fatores associados a ele. Para se apresentar o perfil de tabagismo regular, era preciso ter fumado cigarro pelo menos um dia nos 30 dias anteriores à pesquisa. As características estudadas foram idade, sexo, raça/cor, escolaridade da mãe, índice de bens do domicílio e dependência administrativa da escola. Os comportamentos de risco e proteção incluídos foram experimentar álcool ou drogas, ter relação sexual, consumo de > 1 copo de bebida alcoólica nos últimos 30 dias e realizar/ter interesse em realizar atividade física na maioria dos dias da semana. A prevalência de fumante regular foi 6,3 por cento (IC95 por cento:5,87-6,74), sendo estatisticamente maior nos mais velhos, de cor parda, cujas mães têm menor escolaridade, estudantes em escolas públicas e apresentando os comportamentos estudados. Na análise multivariável, o tabagismo permaneceu associado à idade e a comportamentos de risco. A chance de fumar também foi menor em quem não faz nem gostaria de fazer atividade física. CONCLUSÃO: comportamentos de risco para a saúde coexistem também na adolescência, sugerindo que políticas de promoção da saúde na adolescência provavelmente terão impacto amplo, incluindo o problema do tabagismo.

The article describes the prevalence of tobacco exposure among adolescents at the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE) and investigates socio-demographic and behavioral factors associated with smoking. The profile of a current smoker was defined as reporting having smoked at least one cigarette in the previous 30 days. The socio-demographic characteristics studied were age, sex, race/skin color, mother education, household assets index and school (public or private). Risk and protective behaviors included were alcohol and drug experimentation, sexual intercourse, consumption of at least one glass of alcohol in the past 30 days and perform or be willing to perform physical activity on most days of the weeks. Prevalence of current smoker was 6.3 percent (95 percentCI:5,87-6,74) and was positively associated with older age, lower education of the mother, brown skin color, study in public school and presence of all the risk and protective behaviors studied. On the multivariate analysis, smoking remained associated with age and risk behaviors. To perform or be willing to perform physical activity were inversely related to smoking. The coexistence of risk behaviors is also present in adolescence, suggesting that health promotion polices to the adolescence might have a broader impact, including on tobacco use.