[Self-reported hearing loss among elderly individuals in the city of São Paulo, Brazil: prevalence and associated factors (SABE Study, 2006)].
This article describes the prevalence of self-reported hearing loss in an elderly population in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and associated factors, based on a cross-sectional descriptive and quantitative study. The sample consisted of individuals over 65 years of age selected from census tracts in two stages, with replacement and probability proportional to the population 75 years of age or older. Statistical analysis used Stata 10 with weighted data, Rao-Scott test, and backward stepwise Poisson regression. 1,115 elders were interviewed. Prevalence of self-reported hearing loss was 30.4%, and higher levels were associated with age over 75 years, male gender, self-reported musculoskeletal conditions, dizziness, visual impairment, and difficulty using the telephone. Increased knowledge of factors associated with hearing loss would support public policies on hearing. The high prevalence found in this study underlines the importance of addressing this issue among the elderly.
Polo Universitário de Nova Friburgo, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brasil. msodario@yahoo.com.br
Mariana Sodario
MS
Cruz
Maria Cristina Pereira
MC
Lima
Jair Licio Ferreira
JL
Santos
Yeda Aparecida de Oliveira
YA
Duarte
Maria Lucia
ML
Lebrão
Ana Teresa de Abreu
AT
Ramos-Cerqueira
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011304:Presbycusis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report