Journal of

Introduction and purpose: Perceived health status is an effective approach in evaluating health status that reflects biological, mental, and spiritual aspect of health. The aim of this study was to investigate perceived health status among elderly of Yasuj city.

Materials & Methods: This survey was carried out among 360 elderly living in Yasuj. We used cluster sampling method to collect data. Winfield & Tuckerman Perceived health status questionnaire were used to collect data. This questionnaire measure four dimensions of health including physical health, psychological distress, social function and depression. Data were analyzed using SPSS software by employing descriptive statistics, independent t- test and Regression analysis.

Findings: Mean score of the global perceived health status was 13.65 ± 72.35 in which 64.2% of elderly reported moderate level of perceived health status. Mean scores of the four dimenisons of health were 14.72 ± 4.86, 18.94 ±5.61, 20.02 ±5, 18.66 ±3.96 for physical health, anxiety, social function and depression, respectively. Perceived health status significantly associated with demographic variables such as age, education, socio-economic class, disease, cultural and social values such as health behaviors, social support and self-esteem. However, there was no significant relationship between gender and perceived health status. The results of regression analysis showed that 27% of perceived health status variability is explained by the four variables of self - esteem, patient history, health behavior and education.

Conclusion: The results of this study revealed moderate level of health status among elderly living in Yasuj city. In addition, health status of elderly can be affected by cultural- and social factors.