title: Positive self-rated health in the elderly: a population-based study in the South of Brazil.
abstract: The objective was to identify factors associated with positive self-rated health in the elderly in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, in the South of Brazil. This population-based cross-sectional study evaluated 1,705 elderly. Self-rated health was classified as positive (very good or good) or negative (fair, poor, and very poor). Crude and adjusted Poisson regression was used to identify associated factors. Prevalence of positive self-rated health was 51.2%, associated with male gender (PR = 1.13), more than 5 years of schooling, moderate (PR = 1.33) or high alcohol intake (PR = 1.37), leisure-time activity (PR = 1.20), Internet use (PR = 1.21), fewer diseases, mild/moderate dependence (PR = 2.20) or no dependence (PR = 2.67), no falls (PR = 1.19), and non-use of polypharmacy (PR = 1.27). Several modifiable factors were identified that can affect positive self-rated health in the elderly and contribute to the development of strategies to improve their quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
authors.forename: Susana Cararo
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Confortin
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maruí Weber Corseuil
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Giehl
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
authors.forename: Danielle Ledur
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Antes
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ione Jayce Ceola
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: d'Orsi
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population