Aging in the field: elderly residents profile in rural areas

Abstract

Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of elderly residents in the rural area of the municipality of Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil. Method: Quantitative approach study, descriptive and analytical, a household survey. The dates were collected through interviews and analyzed. Results: Participated this interview 290 elderly, with prevalence of females and aged between 60 and 70 years old and married. Most have 3 to 4 children, cohabiting with one to three people and they can read and write. Having a disease is reported by 87.2% of the elderly and 26.48% of them have three or more diseases, with prevalence of arterial hypertension. In the Self-perception of health condition, 60.3% considers it good. When they get sick 38.6% these elderly resort to using teas, followed by hospital 34.5%. Conclusions: The contribution of this study is in the knowledge of sociodemographic characteristics and health of elderly residents in rural areas to assist in implementation of public policies in this population stratum.

Keywords

• Idoso
• saúde da população rural
• saúde do Idoso
• características da população