Differences In The Socioeconomic And Health Profiles Of Older Adults In Rural And Urban Environments: 2013 National Health Survey

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To understand possible sociodemographic, economic and health differences between older rural and urban Brazilians participating in the 2013 National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a secondary analysis of data from 11,177 elderly individuals. The dependent variable was place of residence (rural or urban), and the independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics (age group [age 60 to 79 or 80 years and older], gender, race, municipality and socioeconomic condition) and clinical characteristics: private health plan, enrollment in the Family Health Strategy program (Estratégia Saúde da Família) and self-perceived health. Associations between dependent and independent variables were assessed using the χ2 test, with p < 5% considered significant. RESULTS: Except for age group, all other sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were significantly associated with place of residence (p < 0.0001). Rural participants were more frequently: male, mixed race, married, illiterate, non-capital residents, with a lower socioeconomic level, better Family Health Strategy coverage, were less likely to have private health insurance. The self-perceived health of urban elderly was more frequently very good, good or very poor (p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Older individuals in rural areas had less favorable sociodemographic and clinical characteristics than those in urban areas, which contradicts international studies. These findings should stimulate further research to fill gaps in the literature regarding the rural elderly.

Keywords

• rural population
• urban population
• aged
• health services research