RISKY BEHAVIORS AMONG SCHOOL-AGED ADOLESCENTS AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the association between the occurrence of risk behaviors among school adolescents and the Social Determinants of Health of both the students and their families. This is a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, carried out with adolescents enrolled in elementary school (final years) and high school, in public schools in the metropolitan region and the agrestic region of Pernambuco, between June and August 2023. Two instruments were used: a sociodemographic questionnaire prepared by the researchers and the Risk Behavior Index. The data was analyzed using Epi info and SPSS software. The results revealed that aspects such as age, gender, religion, marital status, physical activity and family structure were related to the behaviors assessed and could act as risk or protective factors. When considering ways of conducting actions to protect, prevent and mitigate risk behaviors among school adolescents, it is imperative to include the involvement of health and education professionals in the development of strategies that facilitate the development of dialogical spaces. It is also important to encourage responsible protagonism and active participation by adolescents in making decisions about their lives and health.