Health-related habits among community health workers in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil: a cross-sectional study, 2018

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the health-related habits of community health workers (CHW). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted 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 according to independent variables. Results: 675 CHW participated. Regarding their health profile, 60.8% were overweight, 83.0% reported low fruit consumption and 58.1% reported low greens and vegetable consumption. Physical inactivity was reported by 26.2%. 7.1% stated they were smokers were 37.6% drank alcoholic beverages. Inadequate health habits were higher among males (PR=1.24 – 95%CI 1.05;1.45), younger workers (PR=1.19 – 95%CI 1.01;1.40) and workers without a religion (PR=1.23 – 95%CI 1.04;1.45). Conclusion: There was relevant prevalence of inadequate health habits among community health workers, associated with sociodemographic factors.