Self-Rated Health in University Students from Rio Branco in the Western Brazilian Amazon
- 1 Center for Health Sciences and Sports, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, Brazil
- 2 Graduate Program in Public Health, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, Brazil
- 3 Graduate Program in Public Health, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, Brazil
- 4 Graduate Program in Public Health, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, Brazil
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of unsatisfactory self-rated health in university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in graduate students of a Public University in the city of Rio Branco in the Western Brazilian Amazon. The overall prevalence of unsatisfactory self-rated health was 23.0%. After adjusting for gender and age, the factors associated with unsatisfactory self-rated health were as follows: sedentarism during leisure time (prevalence ratio (PR): 2.26; 95% CI: 1.56 - 3.29), consuming meals only in restaurants (PR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.14 - 1.94), insomnia (PR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.50 - 2.30), headaches (PR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.52 - 3.09), and back pain (PR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.58 - 2.60). Thus, a high prevalence of unsatisfactory self-rated health was identified in this group of university students. The findings suggest immediate implementation of programs to promote healthy behaviors and to prevent headaches, back pain and insomnia.
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