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Self-rated health, health-related behaviours and medical conditions of Maori and non-Maori in advanced age: LiLACS NZ

Authors :
Ruth, Teh
Ngaire, Kerse
Mere, Kepa
Rob N, Doughty
Simon, Moyes
Janine, Wiles
Carol, Wham
Karen, Hayman
Tim, Wilkinson
Martin, Connolly
Casey, Mace
Lorna, Dyall
Source :
The New Zealand medical journal. 127(1397)
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

To establish self-rated health, health-related behaviours and health conditions of Maori and non-Maori in advanced age.LiLACS NZ is a longitudinal study. A total of 421 Maori aged 80-90 years and 516 non-Maori aged 85 years living in the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua district were recruited at baseline (2010). Socioeconomic-demographic characteristics and health-related behaviours were established using interviewer administered questionnaire. Self-rated health was obtained from the SF-12. Medical conditions were established from a combination of self-report, review of general practitioner and hospital discharge records, and analyses of fasting blood samples.61% Maori and 59% non-Maori rated their health from good to excellent. Eleven percent of Maori and 5% of non-Maori smoked; 23% Maori and 47% non-Maori had alcohol on at least 2 occasions per week. Physical activity was higher in Maori than non-Maori (p=0.035) and the relationship was attenuated when adjusted for age. More Maori (49%) than non-Maori (38%) were at high nutrition risk (p=0.005); and more non-Maori (73%) than Maori (59%) were driving (p0.01). The three most common health conditions were hypertension (83%), eye diseases (58%) and coronary artery disease (44%). The health profile differed by gender and ethnicity. Overall, participants had a median of five health conditions.Self-rated health is high in this sample considering the number of comorbidities. There are differences in health behaviours and health conditions between genders and by ethnicity in advanced age. The significance of health conditions in men and women, Maori and non-Maori in advanced age will be examined longitudinally.

Details

ISSN :
11758716
Volume :
127
Issue :
1397
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The New Zealand medical journal
Accession number :
edsair.pmid..........b226e587fbf3d019aae4ff2514f5a472