Factors associated with negative self-rated health among non-institutionalized elderly in Montes Claros, Brazil

This study aimed to obtain an understanding of the self-rated health among community-dwelling elderly people in the north of Minas Gerais, identifying factors associated with negative self-rated health. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study with two-stage random sampling. Data collection was carried out in the home of elderly people by trained staff who used questionnaires that had already been validated. To identify the variables associated with negative self-rated health, bivariate analyses were performed, followed by Poisson regression analysis. The study included 686 elderly people (average age = 70.9 years, DP = 8.08), 445 (64.9%) of whom were female. Most were mixed-race (57.1%) and had less than 4 years of schooling (76.3%). On the self-rated health, 291 elderly people (42.4%) had a positive perception of their own health (very good or good); 302 elderly people described their health as "regular" (44.0%) and 93 (13.5%) referred to their own health as "poor" or "very poor". The variables associated with a negative self-rated health were: difficulties in accessing health services, having a fall in the last year, hypertension, heart problems, asthma/bronchitis and any degree of fragility. The results reinforce the fact that multiple factors are associated with negative self-rated health among the elderly, with an emphasis on those related to morbidity.