International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 14 authors, 1 centre
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This population-based cross-sectional study of 3977 older Malaysians found that 32.6% reported poor self-rated health, with significant associations to depression, functional limitations, low income, physical inactivity, and hypertension. The cross-sectional design limits the ability to infer causality.
Self-rated health (SRH) is a subjective measure predicting health outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of poor SRH and its associated factors among older persons in Malaysia using recent national data. Methods: The study analyzed data from the 2018 National Health and Morbidity Survey, a nationwide cross-sectional survey of 3977 Malaysians aged ≥60. SRH was dichotomized as 'Good' or 'Poor'. Logistic regression was used to identify associations with sociodemographic, lifestyle, chronic disease, mental health, and functional variables. Key Results: The prevalence of poor SRH was 32.6% (95% CI: 28.83, 36.68). Limitations: The cross-sectional design prevents causal inference, and the reliance on self-reported chronic disease diagnoses may introduce information bias. Implications: Depression, functional limitation, low income, inactivity, and hypertension are key correlates of poor SRH in this population, highlighting targets for public health attention to promote healthy aging.
