Religiosity, Health, and Social Factors in Young Adults During Covid-19 Pandemic

Religiosity plays a crucial role in shaping behaviors, lifestyle choices, and health outcomes. It influences moderation in substance use and fosters social cohesion and mental well-being. However, religiosity among young adults is often fluid, influenced by cultural and social trends toward secularization. This study aims to assess the prevalence of religious affiliation among young adults and examine the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with it during the Covid-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Alegre, Brazil, during the Covid-19 pandemic, employing a probabilistic sampling method to ensure sample representativeness. Data collection involved face-to-face surveys addressing sociodemographic characteristics, health status, lifestyle habits, and religious affiliation. Poisson regression analyses identified factors associated with religious status. The sample included 102 young adults categorized as Catholics (n = 40), Protestants (n = 40), and no religion (n = 22). Young adults with no religion were younger (mean age 22.4 years) and predominantly single (77.3%). Protestants showed greater racial diversity, with a higher proportion of mixed-race individuals (50.0%). Protestants were less likely to consume alcohol than Catholics (OR = 2.61; p = 0.049). No significant differences in general health status or chronic conditions were observed between groups. This study highlights the relation of religion with sociodemographics and health behaviors, showing that non-religious young people are younger, predominantly male, and less likely to seek health services, while religious affiliation is linked to age differences, healthcare use, and different alcohol consumption patterns.