INTRODUCTION: Self-reported 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-reported 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: socioeconomic status, marital status, education, work, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, regular physical activity practice and self-reported health. In order to analyze the data likelihood, ratio tests were calculated and hierarchical logistic regression analysis applied. RESULTS: Association between self-reported positive health and high education - eight or more years (OR=3.38; IC 95%; 1.83-6.23), and non- smoking (OR=3.42; IC 95%; 1.69-6.92) was found. When the analysis was adjusted to social-demographic variables, high education (OR=3.05; IC 95%; 1.63-5.73), and non-smoking (OR=3.03; IC 95%; 1.47-6.25) kept on the model being associated with self-reported 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.
self-reported health; army enlisting; active men; Sergipe; Brazil
