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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Hozefa A. Divan, MSPH, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, MA, Nhien Luong, MPH, Stephanie D. Golz, MPH, Kavita Thirumalai, MPH, Mohammad M Rahman, MD, DrPH, Aimee Reedy, MPH, and Guadalupe S Olivas, PhD. Santa Clara County Public Health Department, 3003 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128, 408-885-4213, hozefa.divan@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us
Background: Negative health perceptions lead to negative health outcomes. Characterizing social and lifestyle factors may help to further reduce these outcomes.
Objective: To identify risk factors for respondents who perceive their health status to be poor or fair.
Methods: A cross sectional random-digit dialing telephone survey conducted in Santa Clara County, California in 2000. A total of 2,547 respondents 18 years and older completed a survey which was administered in English or Spanish.
Results: Of the 2,547, 313 respondents perceived their health status to be poor or fair (Male: 36.1%, Female 63.9% p=.003). Whites (47.0%) and Hispanics(37.4%) were the majority. These respondents were more likely to: have not complete high school (OR:5.5 ; 95% CI:4.0-7.5); be enrolled in Medi-Cal (OR:4.604; 95% CI:3.181-6.663); have not seen a physician because of cost (OR:3.3; 95% CI:2.2-5.0); and live below the federal poverty level (OR:3.5; 95% CI:2.4-4.9). As well, these respondents were more likely to: be treated for STDs (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2-5.5); be at risk for second hand smoke (OR:1.5; 95% CI:1.2-2.0); be physically abused in childhood (OR:1.9; 95% CI:1.4-2.7); be a witness to physical abuse during childhood (OR:1.7 95% CI:1.2-2.4); and be forced to engage in sex before adulthood (OR:1.7; 95% CI:1.0-2.9).
Conclusion: Social and lifestyle factors have a direct relationship to an individual’s perception of health. Lack of educational, financial, and medical services directly affect health status. As well, exposure to physical or sexual abuse in childhood can have a life-long impact on health perception.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.