Subjective social status in association with various health and socioeconomic indicators in Tehran

Aim

Socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the most important determinants of health. Subjective social status (SSS) is a popular SES indicator. The objective of this study is to compare the associations between health and various SES indicators in order to examine whether SSS is a proper SES indicator.

Subject and methods

In this 2013 cross-sectional study, 1,995 Tehrani residents were selected through multi-stage random sampling. The questionnaires included items on subjective and objective SES, self-rated health (SRH) and objective health status. The crude and adjusted associations between health and SES indicators were assessed using bivariate and multiple logistic regressions.

Results

The crude associations between SSS and all assessed health outcomes were significant. After adjustment of the wealth index, consumption, education and occupation, the associations between SSS and SRH (OR?=?0.69, CI 95 %: 0.55–0.86) and having cardiovascular (OR?=?0.73, CI 95 %: 0.58–0.92), musculoskeletal (OR?=?0.81, CI 95 %: 0.70–0.94), asthma and other respiratory diseases (OR?=?0.71, CI 95 %: 0.54–0.92) still remained significant. The adjusted associations between SSS and having hypertension and diabetes were not significant. SSS had a stronger correlation with the wealth index (Spearman r?=?0.42) compared to other SES indicators.

Conclusion

SSS showed a significant association with most of the health outcomes, independent of other SES indicators; therefore, it can be used in health research, though it is not an exact alternative for other objective SES indicators.