Markers of inequality in self-rated health in Brazilian adults according to sex

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze self-rated health in Brazil’s adult population according to markers of health inequality (color or race, region of residence, schooling, per capita household income, and social class), stratified by sex. We studied 59,758 individuals 18 years or older who participated in the 2013 National Health Survey, a population-based household survey. Data collection used face-to-face interviews and key physical measurements. Self-rated health was classified as positive, fair, or negative. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Percentage agreement and kappa values were calculated to compare the results obtained by regression models and the expected values. Prevalence of positive self-rated health in the overall population was 66.2% (70% in men and 62.6% in women). In the adjusted analysis, the odds of worse self-rated health were significantly higher in individuals with lower per capita household income, less schooling, from the lowest social classes, residents of the North and Northeast regions, and those with brown and black color/race. Public policies for health promotion and recovery in these more vulnerable social groups can help reduce the persistent health inequalities in Brazil.