Health-related behavior in a sample of Brazilian college students: gender differences

This study investigated whether undergraduate students' health-risk behaviors differed according to gender. The sample consisted of 382 subjects, aged 20-29 years, from public universities in Pernambuco State, Brazil. Data were collected using the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey, p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cadernos de saúde pública 2009-03, Vol.25 (3), p.521
Main Authors: Colares, Viviane, Franca, Carolina da, Gonzalez, Emília
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Subjects:
Adult
Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology
Brazil - epidemiology
Chi-Square Distribution
Feeding Behavior - physiology
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Motor Activity - physiology
Risk-Taking
Sex Factors
Sexual Behavior - statistics & numerical data
Smoking - epidemiology
Students, Health Occupations - psychology
Students, Health Occupations - statistics & numerical data
Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology
Violence - statistics & numerical data
Young Adult
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Summary:This study investigated whether undergraduate students' health-risk behaviors differed according to gender. The sample consisted of 382 subjects, aged 20-29 years, from public universities in Pernambuco State, Brazil. Data were collected using the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey, previously validated in Portuguese. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used. Associations were analyzed with the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was set at p < or = 0.05. In general, females engaged in the following risk behaviors less frequently than males: alcohol consumption (p = 0.005), smoking (p = 0.002), experimenting with marijuana (p = 0.002), consumption of inhalants (p < or = 0.001), steroid use (p = 0.003), carrying weapons (p = 0.001), and involvement in physical fights (p = 0.014). Meanwhile, female students displayed more concern about losing or maintaining weight, although they exercised less frequently than males. The findings thus showed statistically different health behaviors between genders. In conclusion, different approaches need to be used for the two genders.
ISSN:1678-4464
DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2009000300007