Predictors of self-reported health among the elderly in Ghana: a cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundSelf-reported health is a widely used measure of health status across individuals. As the ageing population increases, the health of the elderly also becomes of growing concern. The elderly go through life facing social, economic and financial hardships. These hardships are known to affect the health status of people as they age. The purpose of this study is to assess social and health related factors of self-reported health among the elderly in Ghana.MethodsA multivariate regression analysis in form of a binary and ordinal logistic regression were used to determine the association between socioeconomic, demographic and health related factors, on self-reported health. The data used for this study was drawn from the World Health Organization (WHO) Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) Wave 1.ResultsIn total, out of 2613 respondent, 579 (20.1%) rated their health status as poor and 2034 (79.9%) as good. The results showed that the odds of reporting poor health was 2.5 times higher among the old-old compared to the young old. The elderly with one or more than one chronic condition had the odds of 1.6 times and 2 times respectively, of reporting poor health. Engaging in mild to moderate exercise increased the chances of reporting poor health by 1.8 times. The elderly who had never worked in a lifetime were 2 times more likely to report poor health. In the same way, residents of Eastern and Western parts of Ghana were 2 times more likely to report poor health compared to those in the Upper West region. Respondents with functional limitations and disabilities were 3.6 times and 2.4 times respectively, more likely to report poor health. On the other hand, the odds of reporting poor health was 29, 36 and 27% less among respondents in the highest income quintiles, former users of tobacco and those satisfied with certain aspects of life respectively. Also, current alcohol users were 41% less likely to report poor health.ConclusionThe health status of the elderly is to an extent determined by the circumstances in which they are born, grow and live. The findings suggest that addressing social issues faced by individuals in youthful age will go a long way to achieving good health in the future. People with physical limitations and disabilities are most vulnerable to unmet healthcare needs and support system from government, policy makers and family.

Economic Analysis of Health Inequality Among the Elderly in Ghana

“…In decomposing the concentration index, we found that health inequality was experienced most among those aged 70 years and above, single respondents, those with poor income status, referred to as the poor, and elderly persons with chronic conditions. Our findings are in concordance with other studies that have shown that poor health is often experienced by the least advantaged in the society (Fernandez-Martinez et al 2012;Sözmen et al 2012;Fonta et al 2017).…”

Factors influencing healthcare use among poor older females under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty programme in Atwima Nwabiagya District, Ghana

“…Consumption of tobacco, fruit intake, chronic NCDs, engagement in physical activity and vegetable consumption were dichotomised following Gyasi [26]. Self-rated health was dichotomised following Subramanian et al [27], Fonta et al [28] and Bourne [29]. A comprehensive explanation of the evaluation procedure of the dichotomous variables has been reported elsewhere [25][26][27][28][29].…”

Living in fear: The relationship between fear of COVID-19, distress, health, and marital satisfaction among Israeli women

“…This subjective health assessment is a valid health status indicator for evaluating an individual's current state of health (Ichoku et al, 2011;Mora et al, 2008). SRH, despite being a self-reported indicator, is often accompanied with bodily sensations and symptoms that are related to disease pathology, and has been shown to predict mortality (Benyamini, 2011;Fonta et al, 2017;Guimarães et al, 2012).…”