Prevalence of poor self-rated health and associated risk factors among older adults in Cali, Colombia

INTRODUCTION Self-rated health (SRH) has beeen considered an important marker of quality of life and an independent predictor of mortality in older adults. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of poor SRH and identify risk factors associated with poor SRH among older adults residing in the Commune 18 of the city of Cali, Colombia, in 2009. METHODS A population-based cross-sectional study with a single-stage cluster sampling design. Sample included 314 persons aged 60 and older. The dependent variable, SRH was dichotomized into good (excellent, very good, good) and poor (fair, poor). Independent variables were sociodemographic, biological, mental, functional and geriatric syndromes. Logistic regression was used for multivariate statistical modeling. RESULTS Overall, 40.1% reported poor SRH (women 42.9%, men 35.0%). Factors independently associated with poor SRH were diabetes mellitus, depression, fear of falling and frailty syndrome (frail and pre-frail vs. non-frail). Widowed men reported poorer health than married men while other marital status (single/separated/divorced) was associated with better self-rated health in women. CONCLUSION Potential modifiable factors such as depression and frailty syndrome are important determinants for poor SRH in Colombian older adults.