[Intra-urban differences in vulnerability among the elderly population].
This study examined the adequacy of a health vulnerability index (HVI) for identifying intra-urban differences in vulnerability in the elderly population. Study participants (n = 1,055) were selected by probabilistic sampling of residents in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, aged 60 years or older (mean = 70.1 years). The HVI was constructed with indicators of socioeconomic conditions and premature mortality at the census tract level. Based on its location and HVI value, each participant's household was classified as low, medium, or high-risk. Results of multivariate ordinal logistic regression models showed graded and statistically significant associations between the household's risk level and the social and physical environment, health conditions and behaviors, and health service needs (adjusted prevalence ratios ranging from 1.17; 95% CI: 1.02-1.34 to 1.65; 95% CI: 1.45-1.88). The HVI appears to be a useful instrument for identifying health and social service needs among the elderly.
Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil. lusouzabraga@yahoo.com.br
Luciana de Souza
Lde S
Braga
James
J
Macinko
Fernando Augusto
FA
Proietti
Cibele Comini
CC
César
Maria Fernanda
MF
Lima-Costa
D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*