Cluster of modifiable risk factors and its association with negative perception of health in the elderlyBackground Exposure to multiple risk factors simultaneously can negatively impact the health status of older people.
Objective To identify the simultaneous presence of modifiable risk factors and their association with the negative self-perception of elderly health.
Method This is a cross-sectional study with 310 elderly people in the city of Ibicuí-BA. Information on risk factors – regular consumption of alcohol, smoking, leisure-time physical inactivity (IFL), inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables (CIFVL) – was collected through interviews. In the data analysis procedures of descriptive and inferential statistics were used.
Results Highest cluster scores were observed for the combination of regular alcohol consumption and CIFVL in men and the combination of smoking and IFL among women. The cumulative presence of risk factors increased the probability of negative self-perception of health status, although there was no statistically significant association.
Conclusion There was a difference between the main cluster combinations between men and women. The combination of risk factors related to negative perception of health can contribute to the development of health promotion actions for the elderly population.
Keywords:
risk factors; health of the elderly; cross-sectional studies