The Components of Self-Perceived Health in the Kailali District of Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Self-perceived health is a health measure with well-established links with mortality, healthcare services utilization, and future health. Various components of self-perceived health have been identified in different populations. In this study, we aimed to investigate the components of self-perceived health in a Nepali population. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in the Kailali district of Nepal in 2014. The sample was initially consisted of 309 households, representative of the population of one municipality and one village; however, 304 participants were included in the analyses. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, health condition, satisfaction with healthcare services, psychological factors, and health behaviors was extracted. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify putative components of self-perceived health. Among the 304 respondents, 244 (80.3%) and 60 (19.7%) perceived their health as good and poor, respectively. Middle age and lower satisfaction with healthcare services were associated with worse self-perceived health, accounting for 10.3% of variance. No regular exercise, drinking, smoking, and being unhappy were also related with worse self-perceived health, after adjustment for age and satisfaction level. In the final model, however, drinking status did not significantly contribute. Our findings support previous findings that individuals with positive health behaviors and psychological wellbeing are more likely to perceive their health better. This study may direct public health policies toward more targeted interventions.

Fatores associados à autopercepção negativa de saúde em mulheres climatéricas

“…Self-rated health is an increasingly used indicator in epidemiological studies due to its validity and reliability, strongly associating the real health state and health goal by incorporating physical, cognitive and emotional aspects 7,8 . It is an easily obtained variable that offers valuable information regarding the studied population as it is influenced not only by the presence of diseases but by well-being, life satisfaction, functional capacity and quality of life [9][10][11][12][13] .…”

Factors Associated with Poor Self-rated Health in Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski District, Nepal: A Cross-sectional Survey

“…The finding is consistent with previous finding that shows being a nonsmoker was associated with more positive SRH levels across the adult life course 11 . Another study conducted in Kailali district also found that non-smoking status and higher level of happiness were associated with better selfperceived health 12 . It indicates that unhealthy behavior like smoking might be associated with morbidities that cause poor perceived health status.…”

“…Identifying factors associated with SRH in a specific context has public health implication because it helps to better address specific characteristics of the population through public health policies and more targeted interventions. Several socio-demographic, socioeconomic, health behaviors, health condition and psychosocial factors are found to be associated with self-perceived health in different populations 6,[10][11][12] . After controlling for age, sex and region, all socio-demographic factors were related to SRH 6 .…”

“…SRH can be a good screening tool for general health assessment, especially in poor countries where medical facilities for examining risk factors are not widely available and accessible to the general public. It is that SRH may be a proxy method to assess the health status of a population because of its simplicity and its wellestablished links with different health indicators in various studies 12 . It is found that very few studies have been conducted on SRH health among general population in Nepal.…”

Relationship between self-rated health status and physical activity in obese South Indian patients

“…), is viewed with scepticism as the respondents may fail to perceive illness or health deficits because of lack of awareness. 33 However, Cullati S et al in their construct validity study of SRH reliability in India concluded that the single SRH item is a reliable indicator of general health in the population of India. 34 Moreover, Falk H et al, supported the use of SRH as a simple measure in survey settings to identify vulnerable groups and evaluate targeted health interventions in resource-scares settings.…”