Self-perception of health among the elderly in the northeast region of Brazil: a population-based study

Abstract

Self-perception of health status is a good indicator because it reflects various aspects of health conditions, care, and use of health services, and has been used as a guiding instrument for health promotion actions in the elderly population. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with positive self-perception of health among the elderly in the Northeast region of Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with 7,206 elderly (≥ 60 years old) interviewed by the Surveillance System of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (VIGITEL) in 2018. Sociodemographic, behavioral and health condition variables were grouped according to a previously defined conceptual hierarchical model to aid in the description of self-perceived health. Poisson regression was used, and prevalence ratios with their respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated. The prevalence of positive self-perception of health was 46.29%. The probability of a better perception of health increased with male gender (PR = 1.25), age between 60 and 64 years (PR = 1.12), high schooling (9 years or more of study - PR = 1.25), possession of health insurance (PR = 1.27), regular consumption of fruits and vegetables (PR = 1.14) and sufficient physical activity during leisure time (PR = 1.26), but decreased with black and brown race (PR = 0.89), presence of diabetes (PR = 0.74) and presence of hypertension (PR = 0.70). The analysis of these factors indicates important aspects for the formulation of specific public policies, in view of health equity, health promotion and disease prevention to improve the quality of life of this population.]