Risk behavior for the health of students at the State University of North Paraná, Brazil--proposal for online intervention

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva 2014-01, Vol.19 (1), p.159-164
• Main Authors: Mello, Marcus Vinícius de Oliveira, Bernardelli Junior, Rinaldo, Menossi, Berlis Ribeiro dos Santos, Vieira, Fabio da Silva Ferreira
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Brazil; Female; Health Behavior; Humans; Internet; Male; Middle Aged; Risk-Taking; Students; Universities; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1678-4561
• DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232014191.1976

Getting to know the lifestyles of university students provides important input for possible decision-making for the implementation of intervention programs within the university environment. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of risk behaviors to health in a representative sample of UENP students and, in accordance with the information obtained, indicate specific actions using means that can assist in reducing such behaviors. The survey of the main risk factors for the health of the population in question was performed by database analysis. The orientation was conducted through social networks, with online control over access to and interactions with members of the networks using information made available by the research. More than 200 messages were posted, trying to put this population on the path towards factors related to healthy habits. A viewing average of 471.2 ± 128.16 people accessed the page and an average of 12,915.07 ± 6,517.45 people saw the posts per week. Given the above, we suggest actions in UENP to encourage healthy habits, and the social networks proved to be a viable tool for this though other media may be offered, seeking to encourage this population to adopt a more active and health lifestyle.