Autopercepção do estado de saúde e fatores associados em idosos residentes em Campina Grande-PB

Abstract

Objective: To assess the self-perception of health status of elderly registered in the Family Health Strategy of Campina Grande-PB and associated factors. Material and method Crosssectional household with primary data collection, carried out with elderly (60 years or more) of both sexes. The variables studied were: self-perception of health, demographic and socioeconomic factors, number of chronic diseases such and degree of dependence in Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL). We evaluated 420 elderly (68.1% women) whose average age was 71.57 years. Of the total 48.6% were aged between 60 and 69 years, 58.2% were nonwhite, 56.7% were married, 94% lived together, 43.8% had 1-4 years of study and 46 , 9% belonged to class C. Higher proportion of elderly (45.8%) reported two or three chronic diseases was 65.9% and 51.4% had independent self-perceived health regularly. The variables sex, number of chronic diseases and BADL were associated with self-perception in the bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis, only number of chronic diseases and BADL. Results: The elderly with one or two or more chronic diseases were less likely to perceive health as poor than those who reported none. The chance of the elderly with moderate dependence and total dependence / severe presenting poor perception of health was 6.52 and 6.41 times higher, respectively, compared to independents. Conclusions: Self-perceived health status of the aged is associated with a number of chronic diseases and BADL. The results of this study suggest the need for prevention and diagnosis of chronic diseases, promotion and maintenance of functional capacity, as well as prevention or treatment of disabilities.