Fatores associados à autoavaliação de saúde ruim em idosos usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde

Abstract

This article reports on prevalence of poor self- rated 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 pi- lot study and training of field staff. The measure of association was the prevalence ratio (PR) and respective confidence interval (95%CI). Multivari- ate 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 as- sociated 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 ad- verse social conditions and individual health and lifestyle factors.