Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURKIYE KLINIKLERI TIP BILIMLERI DERGISI, cilt.30, sa.1, ss.88-96, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: This cross-sectional study was carried out in order to determine the self-rated health (SRH) status, and factors affecting the SRH of people aged 15 years and over in the city centre of Kayseri. Material and Methods: This study was performed on a stratified random sampling method selected population of 1304 people aged 15 years and over living in 501 dwellings. A questionnaire was applied to subjects including measurements of the presence of chronic diseases, health services utilization, and socio-demographic, economic and psychosocial factors. SRH was measured in terms of responses to the question: "How is your health in general?" Responses were categorised into two groups: good (positive) and poor (negative). Results: The overall prevalence of poor SRH was found to be 44% (CI 0.40-0.45, p<0.001) among the study group. The presence of chronic disease (OR 3.55, 2.65-4.76), health services utilization (OR 1.91, 1.41-2.59), living with in a large family (OR 1.49, 1.16-1.93), compared with single being married (OR 1.66, 1.20-2.30) and widowed/divorced (OR 1.93, 1.10-3.30) were the most significant determinants that decreased SRH status. Education, family income and closeness to the nearest health institution were inversely related to poor SRH. Having primary school education and above (OR 0.66, 0.44-0.99), favorable income (OR 0.53, 0.32-0.88), in those living in places within 500-1000 metres from the nearest health institution (OR 0.72, 0.53-0.99) were the significant protective variables against poor SRH status. Conclusion: Presence of chronic disease, health services utilization, being married and widowed/divorced, and living in a large family were the main determinants of poor SRH among the general population aged 15 years and over.