Socio-demographic determinants of self-rated health in Brazil Determinantes sócio-demográficos da auto-avaliação da saúde no Brasil

Self-rated health has been used extensively in epidemiologic studies, not only due to its importance per se but also due to the validity established by its association with clinical conditions and with greater risk of subsequent morbidity and mortality. In this study, the socio-demographic determinants of good self-rated health are analyzed using data from the World Health Survey, adapted and carried out in Brazil in 2003. Logistic regression models were used, with age and sex as covariables, and educational level, a household assets index, and work-related indicators as measures of socioeconomic status. Besides the effects of sex and age, with consistently worst health perception among females and among the eldest, the results showed pronounced socioeconomic inequalities. After adjusting for age, among females the factors that contributed most to deterioration of health perception were incomplete education and material hardship; among males, besides material hardship, work related indicators (manual work, unemployment, work retirement or incapable to work) were also important determining factors. Among individuals with long-term illness or disability, the socioeconomic gradient persisted, although of smaller magnitude.<br>A auto-avaliação da saúde vem sendo amplamente utilizada nos estudos epidemiológicos, não só por ser importante por si, mas também pela sua validade, estabelecida por suas relações com as condições clínicas e com o maior risco de morbi-mortalidade subseqüente. Neste trabalho, são analisados os determinantes sócio-demográficos da auto-avaliação de saúde boa, utilizando os dados da Pesquisa Mundial de Saúde, inquérito domiciliar realizado no Brasil, em 2003. Foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística, considerando idade e sexo como co-variáveis, e o grau de instrução, a posse de bens no domicílio e a situação de trabalho como indicadores do nível sócio-econômico. Além das diferenças por sexo e idade, com auto-avaliações consistentemente piores entre as mulheres e entre os mais idosos, os resultados indicaram acentuadas desigualdades sócio-econômicas. Ajustando-se por idade, entre as mulheres, a instrução incompleta e a privação material foram os fatores que mais contribuíram para a pior percepção da saúde; entre os homens, além da privação material, os indicadores relacionados ao trabalho tiveram efeitos importantes. Entre os indivíduos com doença de longa duração ou incapacidade, o gradiente social persistiu, embora em menor magnitude

Psychological distress, depression and generalised anxiety in Turkish and Moroccan immigrants in Belgium: a general population study

This study assesses the prevalence of and risk and protective factors for common mental health complaints in a general population sample of Turkish and Moroccan immigrants living in Belgium. Focus is on between- and within-group variation. The study is based on pooled data from the Belgian Health Interview Surveys 2001 and 2004 and focuses on the Turkish and Moroccan immigrant population aged 18-65 (N = 147 Turks, N = 359 Moroccans). Mental health status is assessed with the General Health Questionnaire-12 and the Symptom Checklist 90-R subscales for depression and generalised anxiety. Risk and protective factors considered are gender, age, household type, labor market position, educational level, household income, homeownership, being foreign- or native born and social support. Between-group variance was not significant. Within-group analysis showed significant effects of gender and social support. Although not significant, the results suggested positive associations between social adversity and mood status. In addition, there was a tendency for higher risks for psychological distress, depression and generalised anxiety in foreign-born as compared to Belgian-born Turkish and Moroccan immigrants