SAÚDE PULMONAR DE ESTUDANTES UNIVERSITÁRIOS DE FOZ DO IGUAÇU

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate the pulmonary health of university students in Foz do Iguaçu and identify possible factors associated with the occurrence of respiratory symptoms in this population. This is a descriptive, mixed-methods research combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected through an online questionnaire applied to students over 18 years old enrolled in higher education institutions in the city. The information was gathered between August and September 2025 and analyzed using descriptive statistics with absolute and relative frequencies. The sample consisted mainly of women (71.2%) aged between 18 and 25 years. Approximately one-third of the participants reported respiratory symptoms (34.8%), and 31.8% stated they had previously been diagnosed with a pulmonary disease. It was found that 15.2% of the students were active smokers, and more than two-thirds reported frequent or occasional exposure to air pollution. There was a significant association between regular physical activity and a lower occurrence of respiratory symptoms (p = 0.011), indicating the protective role of exercise on pulmonary function. Although smoking and pollution exposure did not show statistical significance, a trend of higher symptom prevalence was observed among exposed individuals. It is concluded that most students demonstrated healthy lifestyle habits, especially regarding physical exercise, which plays a fundamental role in promoting pulmonary health. The results highlight the importance of educational actions and preventive policies within the university environment, emphasizing the reduction of pollution exposure and the prevention of smoking, aligned with global respiratory health goals. Keywords: Pulmonary health. University students. Respiratory function. Smoking. Physical activity. Foz do Iguaçu.