Social inequalities in health among the elderly

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess social inequalities in health status, health behavior and the use of health services based on education level. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out involving 1,518 elderly residents of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. Significant demographic and social differences were found between schooling strata. Elderly individuals with a higher degree of schooling are in greater proportion alcohol drinkers, physically active, have healthier diets and a lower prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dizziness, headaches, back pain, visual impairment and denture use, and better self-rated health. But, there were no differences in the use of health services in the previous two weeks, in hospitalizations or surgeries in the previous year, nor in medicine intake over the previous three days. Among elderly people with hypertension and diabetes, there were no differences in the regular use of health services and medication. The results demonstrate social inequalities in different health indicators, along with equity in access to some health service components.

Factors associated with smoking cessation in Brazil

“…However, such studies do not analyze income and schooling together, and smoking cessation may be more related to income than to schooling, as our results show after adjustment. In addition, some Brazilian studies have not found an association between schooling and smoking among the elderly 23,24 .…”

“…This study's results provide an important contribution to the literature on smoking in Brazil, where studies on smoking cessation are still scarce 6 . Most of the existing articles deal with smoking initiation and the factors and harm associated with tobacco use 2,23,24,28 . In addition, as mentioned above, no similar Brazilian study was found with a nationwide scope.…”

“…The following independent variables were used to analyze determinants of smoking cessation: per capita household income (in quartiles, with lowest income as the 1 st quartile), schooling in years (grouped in five categories: zero, 1-3, 4-7, 8-10, and ≥ 11 years), age (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29), and ≥ 60 years), age at smoking onset (< 18 years and ≥ 18 years), gender, and self-rated health (very good or good versus fair, poor, or very poor).…”

Condições Sanitárias no Oeste de Santa Catarina: Construindo um Diagnóstico das Populações Rurais e Pequenas Comunidades

“…Em relação à escolaridade, a taxa de analfabetismo no município de Palmitos em 2010 foi de 6,9 5 e a presença majoritária de indivíduos que apontavam estar entre o analfabetismo e o ensino elementar primário (54%), no presente estudo, reproduzem o cenário nacional de acesso e permanência ao sistema escolar, em que são reconhecidas diferentes fontes de desigualdades, das quais são apontadas por diversos estudos estarem relacionadas com piores condições de saúde 6 . A atividade econômica dos municípios da região Oeste do estado Santa Catarina possui como característica comum a prática da agricultura familiar, a avicultura e suinocultura, sendo esta última uma particularidade expressiva da região.…”

Automedicação em idosos residentes em Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil: prevalência e fatores associados

“…O Município de Campinas possui uma rede de atenção básica organizada para atender as necessidades da população nesse nível de atenção. Cerca de 52% (IC95%: 44,2-60,2) dos idosos do município não possuem plano privado de saúde sendo, portanto, exclusivamente dependentes do sistema público de saúde 37 . Os medicamentos para tratamento de doenças crônicas como hipertensão e diabetes são oferecidos gratuitamente na rede básica garantindo o acesso ao idoso portador de tais enfermidades.…”