Self-Rated Health of the Middle-Aged Population and its Determinants

Abstract Background The results of epidemiological studies indicate associations between poor self-rated health (SRH) and many factors like age, education level, income, physical activity etc. The aim of this study was to analyse the associations between SRH and factors associated with socio-demographic, psychosocial, and lifestyle factors, and social support in a middle-aged adult Czech population. Methods The 4th period (data collection in the year 2006) of the ELSPAC (European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood) study cohort was analysed to create the baseline comparable data for the population of the recently created HAIE (Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment) cohort. SRH was defined as “good” by the scores 4–6, “poor” health by the scores 1–3 of the 6 step Likert scale (1—poor; 6—excellent) separately for women and men. The cross-sectional design was used for revealing associations between SRH a wide range of factors employing logistic regression models (crude and fully adjusted) at a 5% significance level. Results Questionnaire data were obtained from 760 women and 351 men. Poor SRH was reported by 24.5% of women and 25.6% of men. In both sexes, poor SRH was significantly related with dissatisfaction with family income (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.12–2.72 in women, resp. OR = 2.98, 95% CI 1.32–6.76 in men) and untreated overweight (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.50–3.42 in women, resp. OR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.14–4.90). In addition, in women poor SRH was associated with having hobbies and interests (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.17–2.51), and in contrary related with positive impact of university education (OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.23–0.71), and a great childhood (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.94). In men, poor SRH was associated with unhealthy diet (OR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.21–5.20). A mixture of statistically not significant associations between SRH and family status, economic activity, social support, sport activities, smoking, and alcohol consumption was found. Conclusions Satisfaction with family income and being overweight were the most significant consequences of poor SRH in either sex. For women, university education and a great childhood had a positive impact on SRH, while having hobbies or interests worked in the opposite direction. Poor health in men was associated with unhealthy diet. A scope for preventive activities within the public health sector is to intervene for weight reduction regardless of sex.