[Self-perceived health status: an approach of the elderly in Mexico].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate health status of the elderly in Mexico through their self-perception and to describe social, organizational and health-related factors.


METHODS
A study was carried out on secondary data from the 2000 National Health Survey in Mexico. Multiple logistic regression models were used. The dependent variable health status was measured through self-perception. The independent variables included were: sociodemographic characteristics, risk behaviors, accidents, disease diagnosis and clinical measures.


RESULTS
A total of 7,322 adults aged 60 years and older were studied, which represents 7% of the total population in that age group in Mexico. Of them, 19.8% reported poor or very poor health status. Factors found to be associated to poor health were age, female sex, having no social security, being divorced, homemaker, disabled, unemployed, tobacco consumption, having a health condition, accidents and diagnosed with chronic diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
The study allowed to identifying factors that may contribute to poor health status in the elderly. These findings could be taken into account in the development of actions and health care programs for this population in Mexico.
Gallegos-Carrillo
Katia
K
Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Coordinación de Investigación en Salud, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, DF, México. kgallegosc01@yahoo.com.mx
García-Peña
Carmen
C
Duran-Muñoz
Carlos
C
Reyes
Hortensia
H
Durán-Arenas
Luis
L
D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008800:Mexico; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors