Determinants of self-rated health in socioeconomically disadvantaged women: a cross-sectional study in Iran

Azmand, Sajjad; Ghahramani, Sulmaz; Doostfatemeh, Marziyeh; Joulaei, Hassan; Sayari, Mohammad; Lankarani, Kamran Bagheri

Abstract

Background: To reduce potential health disparities, it is critical to recognize health determinants among socioeconomically disadvantaged women. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the determinants of self-rated health in socioeconomically disadvantaged women supported by a Relief Foundation (RF). Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on women in Iran who were supported by a RF as an aided institute. We collected demographic and socioeconomic data, as well as information on physical, mental, and social health and self-rated health status. Data analysis was performed by random forest, classification and regression tree (CART) techniques, and gamma regression. Results: The mean age of the 556 included disadvantaged women was 42.8 ± 12.4 years, and the mean self-rated health status was 66.5. Physical health was the most important factor affecting self-rated health. In disadvantaged women with physical problem, nonacademic and academic educated had significantly greater health perceptions than illiterate individuals (1.267, 95% CI: 1.106, 1.451) and (1.666, 95% CI: 1.251, 2.217) respectively. Also, anxiety and stress were both significant predictors of self-rated health status in disadvantaged women with physical health problem (0.765, 95% CI: 0.653, 0.896), and (0.872, 95% CI: 0.762, 0.999) respectively. Conclusion: The study of disadvantaged women revealed a significant influence of physical health on their overall sense of well-being. The findings suggest that education and anxiety have impacts on self-rated health of both diseased and healthy women. To improve the well-being of disadvantaged women, providing accessible physical and mental health support, along with expanding educational opportunities, would be beneficial.

Citation

Azmand, S., Ghahramani, S., Doostfatemeh, M., Joulaei, H., Sayari, M., & Lankarani, K. B. (2025). Determinants of self-rated health in socioeconomically disadvantaged women: a cross-sectional study in Iran. BMC Public Health, 25(1), Article 734. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21797-2

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 5, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Feb 22, 2025
• Publication Date: Feb 22, 2025
• Deposit Date: Mar 13, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 13, 2025
• Journal: BMC Public Health
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 734
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21797-2
• Keywords: Socioeconomic status, Health, Disadvantaged, Iran
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3561804