Feelings of discrimination among students: prevalence and associated factors

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with feelings of discrimination among students. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a representative sample of 1,170 students from a total of 2,282 students enrolled in the 7th grade of an elementary school of the city of Gravataí, Southern Brazil, in 2005. Participants were selected by conglomerate random sampling. Data were obtained from self-applied instruments (Global School-based Student Health Survey, Body Shape Questionnaire, socioeconomic classification) that were completed in the classroom. Cox regression, modified for cross-sectional studies, was employed, according to a four-stage hierarchical model. RESULTS: Prevalence of feelings of discrimination was 21.0%. These feelings were more prevalent among: girls (PR=1.93, 95% CI 1.51;2.46); those showing school absenteeism (PR=1.54, 95% CI 1.21;1.97); those who had used tobacco in their lives (PR=1.53, 95% CI 1.18;1.98); those concerned about their body image (PR=1.42, 95% CI 1.07;1.88); those with feelings of loneliness (PR=2.50, 95% CI 1.80;3.46) and sadness (PR=1.29, 95% CI 1.02;1.62); those with sleep difficulties (PR:1.41, 95% CI 1.08;1.83); those with suicidal ideation (PR=1.45, 95% CI 1.13;1.85) and those who had suffered some type of accidental (PR=1.56, 95% CI 1.23;1.97) or intentional injury (PR=2.04, 95% CI 1.51;2.76). CONCLUSIONS: Feelings of discrimination were associated with sex and experience with tobacco. Its association with psychosocial factors indicates the coexistence of adverse situations, such as dissatisfaction with body image, depressive symptoms and presence of insults. These findings show the importance of health professionals and teachers acting together to identify these feelings early on, and guide and follow adolescents facing such situations.