Factors associated with self-rated positive health in active young men from Sergipe state, Brazil

Introduction: Self-rated positive health seems to be associated with various factors in the general population. Among active men, the association with such traits seems to be unclear. Objective: This work has aimed to verify the factors associated with self-rated positive health in active young men. Material and Methods: cross sectional research was carried out with a sample of 695 male conscripts, taken from the male population (age of 18 years), in the mandatory army enlisting process. The study variables were: socio-economic status, marital status, education, work, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, regular physical activity practice and self-rated health. In order to analyze the data likelihood, ratio tests were calculated and hierarchical logistic regression analysis applied. Results: Association between self-rated positive health and high education -eight or more years (OR=3.38; CI 95%; 1.83-6.23), and non-smoking (OR=3.42; CI 95%; 1.69-6.92) was found. When the analysis was adjusted to social-demographic variables, high education (OR=3.05; CI 95%; 1.63-5.73), and non-smoking (OR=3.03; CI 95%; 1.47-6.25) kept on the model being associated with self-rated positive health. Conclusion: Such findings suggest the need to develop intervention strategies in an intersectional and multi-professional manner in the public health departments, related to risk behavior and social factors.