SAÚDE MENTAL DE ESCOLARES BRASILEIROS ENVOLVIDOS EM COMPORTAMENTOS DE RISCO

Abstract

This cross-sectional study analyzed the relationship between mental health outcomes and risk behaviors in Brazilian students. We used data from the National School Health Survey to analyze the relationship between risk behaviors and three symptoms of mental health problems: feeling alone, number of close friends, and trouble sleeping due to concerns. The risk behaviors evaluated were the use of alcohol, cigarettes and / or illicit drugs; sedentary lifestyle; sexual behavior; and suffer violence and bullying. The sample consisted of 102,072 students from Brazil, aged 11-19 years. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis based on the Poisson regression model. The measure of effect used was the prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The results showed that Brazilian students with symptoms of mental health disorders were involved in risky behaviors, including drug use, unsafe sex, sedentary behavior and aggression suffering. Thus, symptoms of mental illness may lead to risky behaviors or mental health may be impaired by them. Given these findings, programs should be developed in schools that focus on improving mental health outcomes.