Health-related behaviors of community health workers in Montes Claros, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2018: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the health-related habits of community health agents (CHA). Methods: Cross-sectional study in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2018. Anthropometric, sociodemographic, labor and lifestyle characteristics were evaluated. Poisson regression was applied to calculate the prevalence ratio (PR) (and 95% confidence interval [95%CI]) of unhealthy habits by independent variables. Results: 675 CHA participated. In the health profile, 60.8% were overweight, 83.0% and 58.1% low consumption of fruits and vegetables, respectively. Physical inactivity was reported by 26.2%. 7.1% smokers were declared and 37.6% were drinking alcoholic beverages. The inadequate health habit was higher among males (PR=1.24 – 95%CI 1.05;1.45), younger (PR=1.19 – 95%CI 1.01;1.40) and without religion (PR=1.23 – 95%CI 1.04;1.45). Conclusion: There was a relevant prevalence of inadequate health habits among professionals, associated with sociodemographic factors.