Gender, socioeconomic status, and self-rated health in a transitional middle-income setting: evidence from Thailand.
Poor self-rated health (SRH) correlates strongly with mortality. In developed countries, women generally report worse SRH than males. Few studies have reported on SRH in developing countries. The authors report on SRH in Thailand, a middle-income developing country.The data were derived from a large nationwide cohort of 87 134 adult Open University students (54% female, median age 29 years). The authors included questions on socioeconomic and demographic factors that could influence SRH. The Thai cohort in this study mirrors patterns found in developed countries, with females reporting more frequent "poor" or "very poor" SRH (odds ratio = 1.35; 95% confidence interval = 1.26-1.44). Cohort males had better SRH than females, but levels were more sensitive to socioeconomic status. Income and education had little influence on SRH for females. Among educated Thai adults, females rate their health to be worse than males, and unlike males, this perception is relatively unaffected by socioeconomic status.
Seubsman
Sam-Ang
SA
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Bangpood, Pakket, Nonthaburi, Thailand. sam-ang.seubsman@anu.edu.au
Kelly
Matthew James
MJ
Yiengprugsawan
Vasoontara
V
Sleigh
Adrian C
AC
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013785:Thailand
Int J Epidemiol. 2008 Apr;37(2):266-72
17911153
Soc Sci Med. 1994 May;38(10):1385-96
8023188
Health Econ. 2002 Mar;11(2):141-54
11921312
Soc Sci Med. 1997 Mar;44(6):773-87
9080561
BMC Public Health. 2007 Jul 27;7:184
17655774
Int J Epidemiol. 1995 Jun;24(3):559-68
7672897
J Epidemiol Community Health. 2009 Apr;63(4):329-31
19147634
Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2007 May;21(5):320-7
17697486
Gend Med. 2006 Dec;3(4):328-40
17582373
J Prev Med Public Health. 2008 May;41(3):165-72
18515993
J Health Soc Behav. 1993 Sep;34(3):252-71
7989669
Soc Sci Med. 1993 Apr;36(8):1077-86
8475424
J Health Soc Behav. 1997 Mar;38(1):21-37
9097506
J Epidemiol Community Health. 2009 Jan;63(1):38-44
18768570
Int J Health Serv. 2000;30(1):27-47
10707298
Pediatr Int. 2009 Feb;51(1):120-5
19371291
Health Transit Rev. 1991 Apr;1(1):39-68
10148803
Int J Equity Health. 2007 Dec 18;6:23
18088434