title: Determinants of Physical Health of Older People in Iran.
abstract: Background. Many of the older people are encountered with physical and mental health problems, chronic diseases, and also living conditions. We aimed to evaluate the disability scores and its associated factors among a sample of older people in Iran. Material and Methods. 330 people aged 60-70 years were interviewed about daily living activities and physical functioning using two standard questionnaires. Results. According to univariate analysis, aging 66-70 years, being employed, and receiving financial aids were associated with better ADL mean score (P < 0.05). Also, being between 66 and 70 years of age, males, being illiterate, being employed, and receiving financial aids were statistically related to higher SF-36 mean scores (P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses have shown that higher age and receiving financial aids were related to less need for help and being unemployed with salary was related to higher need for help. However, being illiterate, being employed, and receiving financial aids were significant related factors for better physical functioning. Conclusions. Physical health in old people is decreased not only by aging of people but also by other factors such as financial problems and also employment status could decrease physical health of old people regardless of aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985711151, Iran.
authors.forename: Azar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheshmberah
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985711151, Iran.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoseini
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985711151, Iran.
authors.forename: Davood
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shojaee Zadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Health System Research, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985711151, Iran.
authors.forename: Bijan
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0608-5696
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moghimi-Dehkordi