The Study of Self-assessed Health Elderly of Shiraz in 2015

Movahedmajd Majid¹*, Jahanbazian Sedigheh²

*Correspondence: Faculty of Social Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz

   Email:mmovahed@rose.shirazu.ac.ir

Abstract 

Introduction: Self-assessed health is the most commonly used measure to rate mental health status in the elderly people because this method assesses different aspects of health such as physical health, anxiety, depression, and social function in elderly people. The aim of this study was to study Self-assessed health among elderly people of Shiraz in 2015.

Methods: This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study was performed in 2015. A total of 400 elderly people of Shiraz were included in the study using cluster random sampling method and data (about 8 variables) were collected using a health Self-assessment questionnaire. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 20 using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: In this study, 60.3% of elderly people reported average health status. There was significant relationship between demographic variables (age, education, employment status, socioeconomic class, and medical history) and Self-assessed health. There was no significant relationship between gender and Self-assessed health. There was significant relationship between sociocultural variables (health behaviors, social support, Self-esteem, communication and intimacy with children and friends (P=0.000) and number of children (P=0.017), and Self- assessed health (P=0.017).

Conclusion: Policy makers can design a program called Health Survey of Elderly People and monitor their health status in the society every year and also provide programs tailored to the community conditions and health status of elderly people.

Key­words: Self-assessed Health, Elderly People, Self-esteem, Communication and Intimacy with Friends and Children, Physical Health and Social Functioning

­Citation: Movahedmajd M, Jahanbazian S.The Study of Self-assessed Health among Elderly People of Shiraz in 2015. Journal of Health Based Research 2016; 2(2): 159-171.