Relationship between family intergenerational contact, depressive symptoms and self-reported health status in the elderly / 预防医学

Objective@#To explore the relationship between family intergenerational contact, depressive symptoms and self-rated health status in the elderly, so as to provide insights into promoting health of the elderly and actively coping with population aging. @*Methods@#Demographic information, intergenerational contact frequency, self-rated health status and depressive symptoms in the elderly at ages of 65 years and older were collected through the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Structural equation model was established to analyze the effects of intergenerational contact on self-rated health and the mediating role of depressive symptoms between family intergenerational contact and self-rated health in the elderly. @*Results@#Totally 15 497 elderly participants were enrolled, with 6 727 males (43.41%) and 8 770 females (56.59%), and there 12 583 individuals lived with family members (81.19%). The median age was 85.00 (interquartile range, 16.00) years. The scores of self-rated health and depressive symptoms were (3.39±0.87) and (2.22±0.56), respectively. The results of structural equation model analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender and residence, frequent intergenerational contact had a direct positive effect on self-rated health (effect size=0.038, P<0.001), and could improve the depressive symptoms (effect size=0.089, P<0.001) in the elderly. In addition, depressive symptoms had a negative effect on self-rated health in the elderly (effect size=-0.422, P<0.001).@* Conclusions @#Frequent intergenerational contact can improve the self-rated health status in the elderly, and indirectly improve the self-rated health level by alleviating depressive symptoms.

Health literacy and depression in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has recently increased in Taiwan, and depression is common among these patients. Moreover, a lack of health literacy may lead to depression. In this study, we explored the correlation between health literacy and depression in diabetic women. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 152 women with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a regional teaching hospital in Taiwan. The data were collected through medical records and a self-reported structured questionnaire, which included items on basic attributes, self-rated health status, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and Chinese Health Literacy Scale for Diabetes (CHLSD). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses, bivariate correlation tests, and linear regression analyses. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five valid questionnaires were obtained. Approximately 20% of the participants had a higher tendency toward depression as per their CES-D score, and the CHLSD results showed that 13.33% had poor health literacy. There was a negative correlation between health literacy and depressive tendencies after adjusting for self-rated health status, economic satisfaction status, employment status, and education level using multivariate linear regression analyses. For each 1-point rise in the CHLSD score, the CES-D score decreased by 0.17 points (z=−2.05, p=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: A negative correlation was identified between health literacy and depression. Self-rated health status, economic satisfaction, employment status, and higher education level are factors that also affect depressive tendency among diabetic women.

The Karamay community alcohol abuse and self-rated health status survey / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the health status and incidence of alcohol abuse of Xinjiang community residents.MethodsThrough multi-stage random sampling,1992 community residents ( 15-65years old) were assessed using socio-demographic information questionnaire,alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) and self-rated health measurement scale-prior test(SHRMS).Single factor analysis and rank sum test were used to identify the incidence of alcohol abuse,the distribution of different populations,and the self-rated health status of abusers.ResultsTotally 298 cases of alcohol abuse were identified,and accordingly,the prevalence rate of alcohol abuse for general population was 15.1％ ( male 26.4％,female 4.8％ ).Key factors for alcohol abuse included male,middle-aged,well-educated,at work,administrative work,high income levels and large number of household.The differences among groups were statistical significant.Presumably the workplace population was at high risk of alcohol abuse.Alcohol abusers were significantly worse than general population in self-rated health status(P ＜ 0.01 ),especially in mental health and social health.ConclusionThe incidence of alcohol abuse is relatively high in Xinjiang rcgion,and the problem need more attention.Further survey and early intervention work for highrisk group are advised to achieve the purpose of prevention and control.

The Related Factors Influencing on Self-rated Health Level of Middle-aged Women / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This survey of 836 midlife women (51.0 +/- 4.0 yrs) was undertaken by exclusively a face to face interview by well-trained interviewers guarantying data collection of higher quality. This survey data was analyzed using the SPSS program. The main purpose of this study was to describe the factors affecting self-rated health status, including dietary habits and physical . mental . social factors. In the self-rated health status of a 'good' group, age was lower (p < 0.05), monthly income was higher (p < 0.01), dietary habits score (p < 0.001) and appetite (p < 0.001) and the degree of movement (p < 0.001) and life satisfaction (p < 0.001), marital intimacy (p < 0.001) and relationship satisfaction with their children (p < 0.001) were significantly higher than the 'bad' group. The level of depression (p < 0.001) and severe feeling of menopausal symptoms (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the 'poor' group. The results of correlation analysis demonstrated that educational level (r = 0.069, p < 0.05),income (r = 0.157, p < 0.001), eating habits (r = 0.235, p < 0.001), appetite (r = 0.263, p < 0.001), life satisfaction (r = 0.197, p < 0.001), marital intimacy (r = 0.167, p < 0.001), child relationship satisfaction (r = 0.149, p < 0.001), positive attitude toward menopause (r = 0.070, p < 0.05) showed a positive correlation, but depression (r = -0.122, p < 0.001) and menopausal symptoms (r = -0.292, p < 0.001) showed a negative association with self-rated health status. The predictable factors affecting the self-rated health status of middle-aged women were examined by multiple regression analysis. The 'menopausal symptoms - physical discomfort' was the most important variables followed by the 'appetite', 'eating habits', 'menopause symptoms - sensory problems', 'BMI', 'positive attitude toward menopause' and 'high marital intimacy'. These results showed that the 'appetite' and 'eating habits' are important factors affecting the self-rated health status. Therefore, a program of dietary education must be considered for the effective health education and counseling of middle-aged women.

Vegetable Preferences and Their Associations with Nutritional Knowledge and Health-Related Variables in 5th and 6th Grade Schoolchildren

With recent increases in demand for women's social participation, children have tended to favor western-style foods and dislike vegetables (Veg.). The objective of this study was to evaluate dietary behavior and Veg. intake in 612 elementary school children (339 boys; 273 girls) in Gyeonggi-do. 66.5% of the subjects reported that they liked Veg. The most frequent reason given for this preference in Veg. liking group was that vegetables were 'delicious' (35.6%), followed by 'nutritious' and 'frequent intake'. The most frequent reason given for disliking Veg. in the Veg. disliking group was that vegetables are 'not delicious' (94.6%). Approximately half of the subjects had correct knowledge about vegetables. The total score of general nutrition knowledge was 7.7 points (a perfect score is 10 points) and the majority of students generally had good dietary behaviors. The Veg. liking group scored higher on knowledge about Veg., general nutritional knowledge, dietary behavior, and Veg. preference than did the members of the Veg. disliking group (p <0.001). The 'active' group had the highest score for dietary behavior (p <0.001), and the scores for dietary behavior and Veg. preference increased with increasing self-rated health status (p <0.001). The score of normal BMI group for nutritional knowledge about Veg. was higher than that of the underweight group (p <0.05). The higher self-rated academic score group showed higher on knowledge about Veg., general nutrition knowledge, dietary behavior (p <0.001) and Veg. preference (p <0.05). Dietary behavior and preference of Veg. were positively correlated with nutritional knowledge. To improve health by increasing Veg. intake, education about the nutritional importance of Veg. should be needed, and continuous nutritional education is recommended to foster good food habits and Veg. preferences in children.

Social Support and Self-rated Health Status in a Low Income Neighborhood of Seoul, Korea / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To assess the distribution of social support, and explore its effects on self-rated health status in a low income neighborhood of Seoul, Korea. METHODS: In September 2001 we conducted a survey in a low income neighborhood of Seoul, Korea, in which 862 residents, aged 18 years or over, participated. We measured the general sociodemographic characteristics, self-rated health status and social support with the instrument developed from Korean translation of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) scale of the US. Logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of social support, and explore its effects on self-rated health status. RESULTS: Lower social class, women or divorced people had much less social support compared to higher social class, men or those never married, respectively. Those families on much lower income also received less social support. Social support has a positive impact on the self-rated health status, which remains statistically significant even when other relevant variables are adjusted. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that social support has an important role in health, and the socially disadvantaged have lower social support. Therefore, to improve the health status of the poor, it is necessary to encourage community participation, and develop strategies that could strengthen their provision of social support.