Socioeconomic demographic and health characteristics of octogenarians - DOI: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v8i3.9046

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, conditions of health, functional capacity, use of health services and leisure activities of octogenarians and determine the association between number of functional disability and morbidity with income and education. It is a home survey, observational and cross-held with 271 octogenarians. The data were submitted to descriptive analysis and to chi-square test (p <0.05). Among the interviewees the widows were the majority (73.8%) with no schooling (52%), individual income of a minimum wage (62.7%), living in their own home (60%). The most frequent comorbidities were: problems of vision (69%) and hypertension (59.9%). It was found that 39.6% had a functional disability, 34.4% reported using the services of the SUS and 70.4% were satisfied with their leisure activities. The association between the number of co-morbidity with income and education, and between functional disability and income showed no significant differences. It was observed that the greater the number of disabilities the lower was the education level. The results reinforce the need for implementation of health policies and actions directed to octogenarians based on the process of active aging.