title: [Prevalence and factors associated with negative health perception by the Brazilian elderly].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the factors associated with negative health perception in older Brazilians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population study of a cross-sectional sample, conducted in 2009 in three cities of Brazil. The stratified simple random sample consisted of 909 adults between 60 and 91 years of age. A gross and multivariate analysis by estimated prevalence rate (PR) using Poisson regression with calculation of adjusted prevalence ratios, p < 0.05 was performed to identify factors associated with negative perception of health (NPH).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of NPH was 49.6%. After the multivariate association, a certain association for men with older age PR = 1.03 (Cl = 1.01 to 1.06), risk of malnutrition PR = 1.66 (CI = 1.13 to 2.43) and disability PR = 1.79 (CI = 1.21 to 1.77) was observed. For women, the association was with taking more than two medications PR = 1.41 (CI = 1.13 to 2.52), hypertension PR = 1.52 (CI = 1.43 to 1.97) and functional disability PR = 1.36 (CI = 1.13 to 1.86).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nearly half of the elderly have NHP, therefore preventive actions that decrease drug use and encourage behaviors toward better nutritional conditions should be tied to public policies in order to promote the functional independence and well-being of the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Facultade de Ciencias de Educación y del Deporte, UVIGO, Pontevedra, España. rjeronimoss@gmail.com
authors.forename: Roberto Jerônimo dos Santos
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Aldemis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith-Menezes
authors.forename: Sheilla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tribess
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rómo-Perez
authors.forename: Jair Sindra
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Virtuoso
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged