Fatores associados à autoavaliação de saúde ruim em idosos usuários do sistema único de saúde

Abstract

This article reports on prevalence of poor selfrated health and associated factors among elderly users of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) in Goiânia, Goiás State, Brazil. The article is based on a cross-sectional study with a proportional sample of elderly in the nine health districts of Goiânia. Data were collected after a pilot study and training of field staff. The measure of association was the prevalence ratio (PR) and respective confidence interval (95%CI). Multivariate analysis was performed using hierarchical Poisson regression. In 403 elderly, prevalence of poor self-rated health was 27.5% (95%CI: 23.2- 32.2). The rate was 29.7% in women and 29.1% among seniors aged 60-64 years. Variables associated with poor self-rated health according to multivariate analysis were: less than one year of schooling, lack of physical exercise, use of five or more medications, and recent weight loss. The results showed high prevalence of poor self-rated health and associated factors, including both adverse social conditions and individual health and lifestyle factors.