Factors influencing the perceived health status of older adults living alone based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018)

Purpose: Older adults living alone have a lower level of health due to functional degradation and social isolation, and hence, it is important to assess their health condition and health-related factors. In this study we intended to evaluate the factors influencing the perceived health status of older adults living alone in Korea. Materials and methods: Data from the 7th (2016–2018) Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were used. Perceived health status and health-related and demographic characteristics of 1,074 older adults (age≥65 years) living alone were included in this study. A complex sample design analysis method was used to consider the characteristics of the raw data of the KNHANES, and a complex sample ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors that affect perceived health status. Results: Female sex, low economic status, not consuming alcohol, perceived stress, high number of chronic diseases, underweight, and limitation of activity were risk factors of low perceived health status of older adults living alone. Conclusions: Interventions to improve the identified health-related factors, such as stress, underweight, and activity limitation of older adults need to be devised. In addition, differences in risk factors according to sex should be considered when providing interventions. Furthermore, policies supporting the promotion of health status among older adults with low-income and living alone are warranted to improve health equity in Korea.