Self-perception of health and social determinants in high school adolescents

Stela Maris Aguiar Lemos,Angel Martínez-Hernaéz,Poliana Cristina Rocha

doi:10.1590/1982-021620182050118

Stela Maris Aguiar Lemos, Angel Martínez-Hernaéz + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-021620182050118

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: to verify the association between self-perception of health, gender, age, economic status, quality of life, cultural aspects and contexts of violence in high school adolescents. Methods: an observational analytical cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample composed of 386 high school students aged 15-19 years. The data collection was made in 16 public schools. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate data analyses were made. Models with hierarchical entry of the blocks according to the level of determination established in the theoretical model were built, and for the evaluation of associations in the logistic regression models, the significance level of 5% was considered. The Odds Ratio and its respective confidence interval of 95% were used as a measure of the magnitude of the associations. Results: the data revealed that more than two-thirds of the participants reported a positive self-perception of health and, in the hierarchical multiple logistic regression model, to have own house, to practice any religion, and the quality of life remained associated with positive Self-perception of health. Conclusion: having their own house, practicing a given religion and having a better quality of life increased the chances of a positive self-perception of health.

Highlights

IntroductionThe analysis of health self-assessment has been increasingly accepted for constructing indicators that transcend morbidity and mortality rates for application in scientific research and in the construction of health actions
The analysis of health self-assessment has been increasingly accepted for constructing indicators that transcend morbidity and mortality rates for application in scientific research and in the construction of health actions.One of such indicators is the “self-perception of health” or “self-perception of health status”, based on subjective and objective criteria, being influenced by factors such as gender, age, social class, among others[1]
It was assumed that this percentage was 50%, a value that maximizes the sample size. It was considered a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. Considering those criteria as well as the number of eligible students enrolled in high school, the final sample was estimated in 384 adolescents

Summary

Introduction

The analysis of health self-assessment has been increasingly accepted for constructing indicators that transcend morbidity and mortality rates for application in scientific research and in the construction of health actions One of such indicators is the “self-perception of health” or “self-perception of health status”, based on subjective and objective criteria, being influenced by factors such as gender, age, social class, among others[1]. It is an efficient way of understanding individuals’ perspective on their health and is a good predictor of individual mortality and morbidity, including aspects of physical, emotional and cognitive health[1,2,3]. It is noteworthy that the literature points to the life cycle of adolescence as an important period in whichthe issue merits research, since it is a time of relevant changes and consolidation of individual and social identities that will reflect in the way of caring for their own health[6,11]

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