title: [Trends and inequalities in risk behaviors among adolescents: a comparison of birth cohorts in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil].
abstract: This study focuses on trends and inequalities in health risk behaviors among adolescents. A cross-sectional study compared two birth cohorts in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The sample included 1,281 adolescents from the 1982 cohort and 4,106 from the 1993 cohort, followed in 2001 and 2011, respectively. The study recorded alcohol intake, illegal drug use, smoking, sexual initiation < 16 years, lack of condom use, and multiple sex partners. Total prevalence rates were calculated for each cohort, stratified by gender and per capita income, besides absolute and relative measures of inequality. There was a decrease from 2001 to 2011 in prevalence rates for trying alcohol, illegal drug use, smoking, and lack of condom use, and an increase in the number of sex partners. The gap between boys and girls increased for non-use of condoms and decreased for the other behaviors. The gap between income groups decreased for sexual initiation before 16 years of age and increased for episodes of intoxication. Socioeconomic inequalities persist, despite the downward trend in prevalence of risk behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil.
authors.forename: Leidy Johanna Ocampo
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Arroyave
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil.
authors.forename: María Clara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Restrepo-Méndez
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil.
authors.forename: Bernardo Lessa
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Horta
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ana Maria Baptista
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil.
authors.forename: Denise Petrucci
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Gigante
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000639:trends*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000639:trends*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs