Self-rated-health (SRH) and educational status among the rural oldest-old population

Self-rated-health (SRH) assessment is one of the most frequently measurement to evaluating the health status among the ageing population especially the Oldest old Population, where health status refers level of health of an individual, a group, or a population as measured by that individual or by impartial processes and education is one of the most essential elements for human resource development. However, evaluating the self-rated-health condition and educational status among the oldest old population is also a matter of considerable interest. Therefore, this study intends to assess the self-rated-health condition and educational status of ‘oldest old’ people living in the rural areas of Paschim Medinipur District of West Bengal, India. Moreover, the present study also tries to explore the association between self-ratedhealth condition and educational status among the oldest old population under study. Assessing the self-rated health condition refers to a single question such as “in general, would you say that your health is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?” and a survey questionnaire in which participants assess different dimensions of their own health. Data on self-rated health conditions and Educational status of the individual respondent have been collected by interview technique with the help of an unstructured questionnaire schedule and observation method adopted. The study demonstrates that, on average, the rural male oldest-old population under study rated better health conditions compared to the female counterparts under study. The study also stated that on average, the male oldest-old population is more educated compared to the female counterparts. Finally, the study pointed out that educational status is closely associated with self-rated-health status.