Simultaneity of health risk behaviors and associated factors in a population-based study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of simultaneous health-related behaviors and examine their association with sociodemographic and health conditions in the population aged 40 or older in a medium-sized city in southern Brazil.MethodsWe carried out a population-based study. The investigated risk behaviors were physical inactivity, irregular consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking, and alcohol abuse. The dependent variables of the study were the sum of the exposure to risk behaviors and the possible two-by-two behavior combinations.ResultsAssociations were observed between all behaviors, except physical inactivity with alcohol abuse. In general, men presented a higher prevalence of three and four behaviors, as well as between the possible combinations of behaviors. The independent variables age, socioeconomic status, educational level, marital status, and perceived health were also associated with the investigated outcomes.ConclusionsWe suggest that policies and strategies to promote health focus broadly on behavior, and not be limited to specific actions for each isolated behavior.

研究目的：本研究旨在探明巴西南部一座中等城市内，40岁及以上人群的健康相关共现行为流行率，并检验此类行为与社会人口学特征及健康状况的关联。
研究方法：本研究为基于人群的调查研究。本次考察的危险行为包括身体活动不足（physical inactivity）、蔬果摄入不规律、吸烟及酒精滥用。本研究的因变量为危险行为暴露的累计数量，以及任意两两行为的组合情况。
研究结果：除身体活动不足与酒精滥用外，其余所有行为间均存在关联。总体而言，男性同时存在3种及4种危险行为的比例更高，各类行为组合的占比也更为显著。此外，年龄、社会经济地位、受教育水平、婚姻状况及自评健康状况等自变量，亦与本次研究的观测结局存在关联。
研究结论：本研究提示，健康促进相关政策与策略应宽泛覆盖各类健康行为，而非局限于针对单一孤立行为的专项举措。