Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of social, environmental, and economic factors in determining subjective perception of aging in older people coming from two areas (metropolitan and rural) of southern Italy. Methods: We used data from a survey carried out in 3 metropolitan (Cosenza, Rende, and Castrolibero) and 3 rural communities (Carpanzano, Grimaldi, and Rogliano) in southern Italy. Cross sectional descriptive study using a structured interviews and assessments during home visits. Life conditions and health at older ages was investigated with a questionnaire. Elderly people was divided in two population cohorts 304 subjects (152 from metropolitan, and 152 from rural area) controlling demographic, social, environmental and health characteristics. The study used the Factor Analysis, a statistical technique to individualize summarizing factors describing a population. Results: Baseline main potential predictors of high social and health risk were poor education, low-income, female gender, widowhood, unsatisfactory health perception, high functional perceived disability and living arrangements. Conclusions: Social, ecological and environmental factors could play a relevant role in determining health status and disability with increasing request of social and health care services.
Environmental and social determinants of aging perception in metropolitan and rural areas of southern Italy (Calabria Region)
Corsonello, A.
2006-01-01
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of social, environmental, and economic factors in determining subjective perception of aging in older people coming from two areas (metropolitan and rural) of southern Italy. Methods: We used data from a survey carried out in 3 metropolitan (Cosenza, Rende, and Castrolibero) and 3 rural communities (Carpanzano, Grimaldi, and Rogliano) in southern Italy. Cross sectional descriptive study using a structured interviews and assessments during home visits. Life conditions and health at older ages was investigated with a questionnaire. Elderly people was divided in two population cohorts 304 subjects (152 from metropolitan, and 152 from rural area) controlling demographic, social, environmental and health characteristics. The study used the Factor Analysis, a statistical technique to individualize summarizing factors describing a population. Results: Baseline main potential predictors of high social and health risk were poor education, low-income, female gender, widowhood, unsatisfactory health perception, high functional perceived disability and living arrangements. Conclusions: Social, ecological and environmental factors could play a relevant role in determining health status and disability with increasing request of social and health care services.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
