Sociodemographic profile and self-referred health conditions of the elderly in a city of Southern Brazil

Authors

  • Lisiane M G Paskulin Universidade Federal de São Paulo
  • Lucila A C Vianna Unifesp; Departamento de Enfermagem

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102007000500010

Keywords:

Health of the elderly, Self assessment^i2^sPsychol, Personal autonomy, Health profile, Socioeconomic factors, Cross-sectional studies

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between gender and age groups and socioeconomic and health variables among older adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in the a city in Southern Brazil, in 2004. Elderly over 60 years of age (N= 292) were selected through two-stage probabilistic sampling. Data from socioeconomic and demographic variables were collected through household survey. Health conditions were self-referred. Descriptive statistics, and Pearson's Chi-square test with linear-by-linear association model were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Among the elderly, 67.8% were female, 84% were between 60 to 79 years and 81% considered themselves healthy. Compared to men, women were more likely to live alone (p=0.046), have no partner (p<0.001), be less educated (p=0.021), report more health conditions (p=0,003), use more medications (p=0.016), exercise less (p=0.015), be more dependent to perform activities of daily living (p<0.001), receive lower pension benefits (p<0,001), have less paid jobs (p=0.002). But women perceived themselves as having more social support (p=0.023), consumed less alcohol (p=0.003) and were not smokers (p<0.001). Those with more advanced age were less educated (p<0.001), had poorer economic conditions (p=0.004), received lower pension benefits (p<0,001), were less likely have a partner (p<0.001) and were more dependent to perform activities of daily living (p<0.001) but perceived themselves with more social support (p=0.014) and were not smokers (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Differences between gender and age group were evidenced and they were more marked among women and those with more advanced age.

Published

2007-10-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Paskulin, L. M. G., & Vianna, L. A. C. (2007). Sociodemographic profile and self-referred health conditions of the elderly in a city of Southern Brazil . Revista De Saúde Pública, 41(5), 757-768. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102007000500010