Abstract

AGUILAR-FERNANDEZ, Eduardo  and  CARBALLO-ALFARO, Ana Maricela. Factors associated with self-rated health in Costa Ricans: results for the CRELES retirement cohort. PSM [online]. 2021, vol.19, n.1, pp.48-66. ISSN 1659-0201.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/psm.v19i2.44219.

Introduction: Self-rated health has been considered a subjective measure of general health status. We aim was identified factors associated with self-rated health in the Costa Ricans adult population. Methods: a population cross-sectional study with a total of 992 men and 1570 women representing a new retirement cohort participating in the project Costa Rica: Longevity and Healthy Aging Study and referred to as CRELES-RC. Self-rated health was measured through a single question on the assessment of health status that considers five options: excellent, very good, good, fair and poor. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated to quantify the contribution of chronic diseases and other factors to poor self-rated health. Results: The logistic regression models determined that self-rated health is associated with the area of residence, educational level, perception of the economic situation, physical activity, emotional support and the presence of chronic disease. People with a chronic disease, except cancer, indicate poorer self-rated health. The strongest relationship was with arthritis, lung disease, and diabetes. Conclusions: the study allowed to identify that the area of residence, education, physical activity, emotional support and chronic illness could affect people’s health.

Keywords : self-rated health; health condition; chronic illness; sociodemographic factors.

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