Objective To assess the relevance between social functions/economic situations and self-rated health (SRH) and to estimate the population attributable risk proportion (PARP) among Chinese elders.
Methods Articles of interest were systematically and comprehensively identified through searches of English and Chinese databases (Jan 1960-July 2009). Combined odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of relevant risk factors were calculated. Based on these combined OR values and the population exposure rate, PAPR was estimated.
Results Four cross-sectional studies were included and analyzed. The main social functions associated with poor self-rated health among Chinese elders were unpleasant lifeOR 2.98, 95% CI (1.82, 4.87), disharmonious familyOR 2.71, 95% CI (2.10, 3.51), and lack of careOR 1.68, 95% CI (1.16, 2.43), for which the PAPR were 24.19%, 19.65% and 14.18% respectively. Their economic conditions were overdraft OR 2.02, 95% CI (1.19, 3.43), difficult to pay medical expensesOR 1.94, 95% CI (1.41, 2.68), and monthly family income less than 100 YuanOR 1.77, 95% CI (1.46, 2.15). The top three economic conditions associated with self-rated health in Chinese elders were difficult to pay medical expenses, monthly family income less than 100 Yuan and no self-earned income, for which the PAPR were 24.83%, 18.42% and 18.05% respectively.
Conclusion The control and prevention of chronic disease for the elders and encouraging them to participate in social activities are still what the community health care centers and administrations focusing on. However, the relevance between socioeconomic factors and self-rated health remains in suspense due to the lack of studies and evidence.
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