ABSTRACT Background: Some studies have suggested the importance of vitamin D [25(OH)D] in malaria clinical practice. The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in the Amazon population is not well known, and there are few studies in patients with malaria. This study aimed to evaluate 25(OH)D serum levels in patients with malaria and determine their relationships with epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and parasitemia data. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study of 123 patients with malaria and 122 individuals without malaria was performed in Itaituba, Pará, Brazil, from January 2018 to October 2019, by evaluating sociodemographic, clinical-epidemiological, parasitological, and laboratory data and adopting a 5% significance level. Parametric tests (Student's t-test), non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U), and Spearman’s correlation ([rs], for non-parametric variables) were used according to the nature of the distribution of the variables. For the qualitative variables, Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and the G test were used. Spearman's correlation was used to compare the results of the 25(OH)D levels and blood counts performed among patients and the control group. Results: Malaria patients residing in a mining area had 25(OH)D serum levels that were significantly lower than those in the control group residing in the mining area, though both were within normal levels. Red blood cell counts had an inverse correlation with parasitemia (Plasmodium falciparum), and platelet levels had an inverse correlation with parasitemia (Plasmodium vivax). 25(OH)D deficiency was evidenced in Itaituba, in the state of Pará, which is an endemic area of malaria in the Amazon region.

Resumo Introdução: Os hábitos de vida como a prática de atividade física, o lazer, os hábitos alimentares, o estresse, o tabagismo e etilismo podem implicar diretamente nas condições de saúde do indivíduo. Objetivo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a relação entre comportamentos em saúde e as doenças autorreferidas por servidores de uma universidade pública federal da região sudeste. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 815 servidores, sendo 347 docentes e 468 técnico-administrativos, com idade de 20 a 65 anos. Trata-se de um estudo transversal. Os dados deste estudo foram coletados de um banco de dados secundário, provenientes do Questionário de Saúde (condições de saúde autorreferidas por docentes e técnico-administrativos), da Pró-Reitoria de Assuntos Comunitários da Instituição. Dentre as variáveis avaliadas, foi verificada a relação entre o hábito alimentar, a prática de atividade física, o tabagismo e o consumo de bebida alcoólica com as doenças autorreferidas (doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e doenças infecto-parasitárias, diagnosticadas pelo médico nos últimos 12 meses). Resultados: A média de doenças entre esses docentes e técnico-administrativos da pesquisa foi de 3,1 e 2,9, respectivamente. Destacou-se nesse estudo a associação estatisticamente significante da alimentação não saudável com o acidente vascular encefálico; a atividade física irregular/sedentarismo com as doenças endócrinas/nutricionais/metabólicas e do aparelho digestivo; o excesso de peso com as doenças cardiovasculares, doenças endócrinas/nutricionais/metabólicas, diabetes mellitus e hipertensão arterial sistêmica; e o tabagismo com as doenças osteomusculares. Conclusão: Sugere-se a adoção de medidas de prevenção e controle dos comportamentos de risco entre esses servidores.

Abstract Introduction: Life habits such as physical activity, leisure, eating habits, stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption can directly affect individuals' health. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health behaviors and diseases self-reported by employees of a federal public university in southeastern Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 815 employees, of whom 347 were teachers and 468 were technical-administrative staff, aged between 20 and 65 years old. Data from this study were collected from a secondary database, from the Health Questionnaire (self-reported health conditions by teachers and technical-administrative employees), and from the institution's Vice Dean of Community Affairs. Among the variables assessed, the relationship between eating habits, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and self-reported illnesses (chronic diseases and infectious and parasitic diseases diagnosed by a doctor within the last 12 months) was analyzed. Results: The mean prevalence of these diseases among teachers and technical-administrative staff was 3.1 and 2.9, respectively. This study showed a statistically significant association between unhealthy diet and cerebrovascular accidents; between irregular performance of physical activity/sedentary lifestyle and endocrine/nutritional/metabolic and digestive diseases; between overweight and cardiovascular diseases, endocrine/nutritional/metabolic diseases, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension; and between smoking and musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusion: We suggest the adoption of preventative measures and the control of risk behaviors among these employees.