OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate self-esteem among older adults treated at Basic Health Units (BHU) and associated factors.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 654 older people treated at BHUs in the municipality of Maringá, state of Paraná, in Brazil. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the Rosemberg Self-esteem Scale were used as instruments. The data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the Spearmans rank correlation, the Chi-squared test and the Binary Logistic Regression.
RESULTS: The results showed a significant association between self-esteem (p < 0.05) and self-perceived health, which is related to going to BHUs, history of falls and near-falls, and the level of physical activity. The logistic regression showed that the older patients with no history of "near-falls are more likely to have good self-esteem as well as very active older adults. Having high self-esteem was significantly correlated with the variables related to the practice of low-intensity and moderate physical activities.
CONCLUSION: It was concluded that health conditions, especially the history of near-falls and physical activity level are factors associated with a higher self-esteem. In addition, the performance of low-intensity and moderate activities is associated with good self-esteem.
