The Components of Self-Perceived Health in the Kailali District of Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Leila Freidoony, Ranabhat Chhabi, Chang Soo Kim, Myung Bae Park and Chun-Bae Kim
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Leila Freidoony: Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-Gil, Gangwon-Do, Wonju City 220-710, Korea
Ranabhat Chhabi: Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-Gil, Gangwon-Do, Wonju City 220-710, Korea
Chang Soo Kim: Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-Gil, Gangwon-Do, Wonju City 220-710, Korea
Myung Bae Park: Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-Gil, Gangwon-Do, Wonju City 220-710, Korea
Chun-Bae Kim: Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-Gil, Gangwon-Do, Wonju City 220-710, Korea

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Self-perceived health is a health measure with well-established links with mortality, healthcare services utilization, and future health. Various components of self-perceived health have been identified in different populations. In this study, we aimed to investigate the components of self-perceived health in a Nepali population. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in the Kailali district of Nepal in 2014. The sample was initially consisted of 309 households, representative of the population of one municipality and one village; however, 304 participants were included in the analyses. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, health condition, satisfaction with healthcare services, psychological factors, and health behaviors was extracted. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify putative components of self-perceived health. Among the 304 respondents, 244 (80.3%) and 60 (19.7%) perceived their health as good and poor, respectively. Middle age and lower satisfaction with healthcare services were associated with worse self-perceived health, accounting for 10.3% of variance. No regular exercise, drinking, smoking, and being unhappy were also related with worse self-perceived health, after adjustment for age and satisfaction level. In the final model, however, drinking status did not significantly contribute. Our findings support previous findings that individuals with positive health behaviors and psychological wellbeing are more likely to perceive their health better. This study may direct public health policies toward more targeted interventions.

Keywords: self-perceived health; health behaviors; happiness level; satisfaction with healthcare services; cross-sectional; Nepal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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