Gender differences in self-rated health and their determinants in Turkey: A further analysis of Turkish health survey

Abstract

Objective: This study analysed gender differences in self rated health status and their determinants by gender in Turkey. Methods: This is a further analysis of a 2010 Health Survey conducted by Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) A total of 5488 men and 7149 women in Turkey were included in this cross-sectional study. Self-rated health was analysed using three logistic regression models. Results: The rates of poor health were 9.8% among women and 5.2% among men, with the gender gap increasing with age. Low level of education, chronic diseases and poverty were associated with poor perceived health in both genders. For women, marriage and retirement from secure jobs were associated with good health; obesity and smoking were factors that caused poor health. For men, unemployment had a negative impact on health. Conclusion: The determinants of poor health were associated with not only on socioeconomic status but also on gender in the Turkey. Marriage may provide social protection for women where there are insufficient social policies to protect them