Abstract:
Background: Financial crisis and worsened socio-economic conditions are
associated with greater morbidity, less utilization of health services
and deteriorated population’s health status. The aim of the present
study was to investigate the determinants of self-rated health in
Greece. Methods: Two national cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2006
and 2011 were combined, and their data were pooled giving information
for 10 572 individuals. The sample in both studies was random and
stratified by gender, age, degree of urbanization and geographic region.
Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact of several
factors on self-rated health. Results: Poor self-rated health was most
common in older people, unemployed, pensioners, housewives and those
suffering from chronic disease. Men, individuals with higher education
and those with higher income have higher probability to report better
self-rated health. Furthermore, the probability of reporting poor
self-rated health is higher at times of economic crisis. Conclusion: Our
findings confirm the association of self-rated health with economic
crisis and certain demographic and socio-economic factors. Given that
the economic recession in Greece deepens, immediate and effective
actions targeting health inequalities and improvements in health status
are deemed necessary.
Authors:
Zavras, Dimitris
Tsiantou, Vasiliki
Pavi, Elpida
Mylona,
Katerina
Kyriopoulos, John
