Factors associated with self-reported health status among older adults in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: Literature on the prevalence and factors associated with good self-reported health among older adults in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA), including sex-stratified analyses, remains limited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of good self-reported health and its associated factors among older adults (50-64 years) in the GKMA, with sex-stratified analyses. METHODS: Data stem from the 'The Remaking of the Family in East Africa (FAMILEA)' survey of 2024. A set of cross-sectional variables from a subsample of 651 older adults (aged 50-64) was used. We applied frequency distributions for descriptive statistics and a multivariable modified Poisson regression model to investigate factors associated with self-reported health status among older adults in the GKMA, with sex-stratified patterns. RESULTS: In the GKMA, 58% of older adults (64% of males and 52% of females) declared good health. Older adults living in Wakiso District, satisfied with accommodation, working, not living in a household-owned house, in the second and fourth quintiles, and not functionally constrained, reported good health. Accommodation satisfaction and non-limited functional status were positively associated with good health, irrespective of sex. Among males, living in a nuclear family, working, not reporting the lowest wealth quintile, and being affiliated with the Catholic religion were positively associated with good health. Among females, living in Wakiso District and never lacking companionship were positively associated with good health. CONCLUSION: Good self-reported health was associated with various factors among older adults (50-64 years) in the GKMA, with some patterns observed in the sex-stratified models.