Self-rated health, associated factors and diseases: a community-based cross-sectional study of Singaporean adults aged 40 years and above.

Full Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Subjective indicators of health like self-rated health (SRH) have been shown to be a predictor of mortality and morbidity. We determined the prevalence of poor SRH in Singapore and its association with various lifestyle and socioeconomic factors and disease states. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey by interviewer-administered questionnaire of participants aged 40 years and above. SRH was assessed from a standard question and categorised into poor, fair, good or excellent. Lifestyle factors, socioeconomic factors and presence of disease states were also assessed. RESULTS: Out of 409 participants, 27.6% rated their health as poor or fair, 53.1% as good and 19.3% as excellent. Smaller housing-type (PRR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.10- 2.44) and lack of exercise (PRR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.06-2.22) were found to be associated with poor SRH. Presence of chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease (PRR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.13-3.17), diabetes mellitus (PRR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.18-2.91), history of cancer (PRR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.05-4.41) and depression (PRR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.13-2.65) were associated with poor SRH. CONCLUSION: Prevalence and factors associated with poor SRH in Singapore was comparable to other developed countries. SRH is an important subjective outcome of health and has the potential for wider use in clinical practice in Singapore.

Author information

Author/s: Ramkumar, Aishworiya (A); Quah, Jessica L S (JL); Wong, Teresa (T); Yeo, Lynn S H (LS); Nieh, Chih Chiang (CC); Shankar, Anoop (A); Wong, Teck Yee (TY);

Affiliation: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (Ann Acad Med Singapore), published in Singapore. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 38 (issue 7) : pp 606-7

Dates: Created 2009/08/04; Completed 2009/10/16;

PMID: 19652852, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/16/2009, IMS Date: )

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