Abstract

Background and objective: Self-perceived health (SPH) is a strong indicator of the health and life expectancy of a population. This study aimed to explore the status and influencing factors of SPH in a rural area in Southern China.

Methods: This researchwas a cross-sectional study involving 1617 participants over the age of 60 years. Standardised questions during face-to-face interviewswere provided to collect general information and SPH status. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyse the SPH status.

Results: Nearly 82% of our study's respondents reported their health status as 'good'. Results showed that annual household income < 3000 yuan (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.23–3.19, p = 0.005), annual household income between 3000 and 5000 yuan (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.03–1.88, p = 0.031), insomnia (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.40–2.47, p < 0.001), drinking (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.38–0.76, p < 0.001), total number of hospitalisations ≥ 2 (OR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.88–4.24, p < 0.001), total number of hospitalisations = 1 (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.58–3.14, p < 0.001), hearing (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.35–0.64, p < 0.001), vision (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47–0.88, p = 0.006), doing farm work (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46–0.82, p < 0.001), chronic diseases (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.60–3.25, p < 0.001) and instrumental activities of daily living independently (OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.61–3.03, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with SPH.

Conclusions: This study is the first that examines the determinants of SPH amongst Guilin's older people. The main determinants of SPH amongst older  people include economic condition, health status and healthy behaviour.