title: Factors associated with violent behavior among adolescents in northeastern Brazil.
abstract: The aim of this study was to identify prevalence and factors associated with violent behavior among adolescents in Aracaju and Metropolitan region. The study included 2207 adolescents (16.03±1.08 years old) enrolled in high schools of the State Public Network. Violent behavior was identified from question 14 of the YRBS-2007 questionnaire with responses categorized as "never" and "one or more times." Higher prevalence in males in relation to risk factors for adoption of violent behavior was found: cigarette consumption (7.3%), alcohol consumption (39.1%), and marijuana use (3.4%). Data analysis used descriptive statistics and logistic regression with hierarchical model at two levels: (a) sociodemographic variables and (b) behavioral variables. For both sexes, association between violent behavior and cigarette smoking (OR=3.77, CI 95%=2.06-6.92 and OR=1.99, CI 95%=1.04 to 3.81, male and female, resp.) and alcohol consumption (OR=3.38, CI 95%=2.22 to 5.16 and OR=1.83, CI 95%=1.28 to 2.63, male and female, resp.) was verified. It was concluded that violent behavior is associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes among adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberto Jerônimo
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: dos Santos Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nara Michelle Moura
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antônio César
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Cabral de Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*