Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Gerontological Care Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
2 Tehran Psychiatric Institute, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,
3 Health Management and Economics Research Centre, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The main aim of this study was to explore the socioeconomic determinants of
health‑care and emotional needs among older adults.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross‑sectional study, 350 older adults were randomly selected
from five geographical regions in Isfahan, 2016. A self‑administered checklist was employed to
collect health‑care and emotional need data among older adults residing day‑care centers. Data
were analyzed using logistic regression through STATA/SE (version 14).
RESULTS: The highest proportion of older adults lived with income 285–855 USD monthly and
insured by social security insurance. Illiteracy, loneliness, and low level of income were more
prevalent among female older adults than male ones. The emotional needs of single/widow (odds
ratio [OR] = 0.299), divorced (OR = 0.133) older people, not having children (OR = 0.811) or
grandchildren (OR = 0.684), and illiterates (OR = 0.689) were discovered to be lower than their
counterpart groups. As the elderly got older, their health‑care needs were met more. Older adults
covered by military insurance have their health‑care needs met as much as 21% (OR = 1.215)
greater than social security insurance.
CONCLUSIONS: Regarding health‑care needs, economic and monetary factors are still important
in meeting this type of needs as well as education and social insurance. While regarding emotional
needs, nonmonetary and noneconomic factors, including social network, are important determinants
for the satisfaction of emotional needs.
Keywords
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