Carolina M Borges
The College of New Jersey, USA
Title: Individual social capital and the use of health services among elderly in a developing context
Biography
Biography: Carolina M Borges
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: The way we connect to each other can affect our health status and other health related outcomes. Broadly, social capital refers to the characteristics that emerge from social connections among individuals in a given society that can be used for a common goal. Health related outcomes have been linked to lack in Social Capital such as high mortality rates, poor mental health, low well-being, poor oral health, poor maternal health weak adherence to health promotion policies, and obesity prevention.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: This cross-sectional study sought to test the association between social capital, health status, and use of health services, among Brazilian non-institutionalized elderly living in an industrialized area. Sample was composed by 2,052 respondents aged 60 or older, living in Sete Lagoas county in 2012 (Jan-Jul). Social Capital (SC) was measured by The World Bank Integrated Questionnaire (SC-IQ) dichotomized in “low Social Capital” and “high Social Capital”. Use of health services (11 variables), health status, community engagement, familiar functionality, and social demographics were assessed.
Findings: Out of total respondents, 68.6% belonged to the group of low social capital. Lack in social capital was associated to poor health status (69.5%), > medical treatment (70.7%). When controlled, Low SC increased chances to medical appointment within 6 months [OR=1.78; 95%IC=1.22-2.60], decreased chances to be assisted by Public Health Family Program [OR=0.77; 95%IC=0.59-0.99], of community engagement [OR=0.12; 95%IC=0.09-0.15], and good familiar functionality [OR=0.56; 95%IC=0.36-0.86].
Conclusion & Significance: Individual Social Capital affected health status and the pattern that elderly used health service in this population.Recent Publications
1. Carolina M Borges, Silvia Spivakovsky. Adjusted protocol for dental extractions in oncology patients taking anti-resorptive drugs may reduce occurrence of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Evidence-Based Dentistry 2016, 17:14–15.
2. Ana Cristina V Campos, Carolina M Borges, Andréa Maria D Vargas, Viviane Elisangela Gomes, Simone D Lucas and Efigênia F Ferreira. Measuring social capital through multivariate analyses for the IQ-SC. BMC Research Notes 2015, 8:11.
3. Chalub LL, Borges CM, Ferreira RC, Haddad JP, Ferreira EF, Vargas AM. Association between social determinants of health and functional dentition in 35-year-old to 44-year-old Brazilian adults: a population-based analytical study. Community Dental of Oral Epidemiology 2014, Dec; 42(6):503-16.
4. Borges CM, Campos ACV, Vargas AM, Ferreira EF. Tooth loss profile among adults according to social capital, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva 2014, 19(6):1849-1858.
5. CAMPOS, ANA CRISTINA VIANA; Borges CM; LELES, CLÁUDIO RODRIGUES; LUCAS, SIMONE DUTRA; FERREIRA, EFIGÊNIA F. Social capital and quality of life in adolescent apprentices in Brazil: An exploratory study. Health (Irvine), v. 05, p. 973-980, 2013.