OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with negative self-rated health among adolescents in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted with a representative sample of 5,028 adolescents who were attending public highschools. The negative self-rated health was analyzed in relation to the following variables: gender, income, physical activity practice, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use and self-rated stress. The binary logistic regression was carried out to test associations. RESULTS: The prevalence of negative self-rated health was higher among girls (17.6%) in comparison to boys (9.6%; p<0.0001). Higher values of Odds Ratio (OR) were associated with female gender (OR 1.99; 95%CI 1.66-2.38), lower socioeconomic status (OR 1.54; 95%CI 1.08-2.20), smoking (OR 2.00; 95%CI 1.35-2.94), and negative self-rated stress (OR 3.36; 95%CI 2.74-4.12). CONCLUSIONS: Female adolescents, those with lower socioeconomic status, smokers and those who negatively perceived stress presented higher levels of negative self-rated health.
health status; health behavior; adolescent
