Participação de idosos em atividades físicas, sociais, educacionais e em serviços de saúde de centro de convivência: diferenças entre sexos

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze socio-economic profile, cognitive status and activities performed by elderly men and women at Senior Citizen Centers (SCC) from Cuiaba, Mato Grosso State. The Cross-sectional study was carried out in a random stratified sample of 350 Senior Citizens of both sexes from three different SCC. The individuals answered a questionnaire on social profile and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Descriptive statistic was used for data analyzes. Elderly average age was 70.5 (±7.14) years-old. Aged men and women had one to four years of education (49.1%), were retired (67.7%), were not inserted in work market (77.7%) and showed low cognitive status measured by MMSE (67.1%). Whereas old men were married (60%) and participated in only one activity in SCC (53.3%), old women were widows (46.9%) and participated in two or three activities (51.2%). Among physical activities, 56.2% of women and 24.4% of men took part in the Water Aerobic Class. Among social activities, 30% of men and 15.4% of women participated of the balls. Both educational activities and health services offered in SCC had low involvement by elderly. It was concluded that although socio-economic characteristics of old men and old women were similar, the participation profile of men and women showed differences. These findings emphasize the need for further research examining the influence of gender on adherence of elderly in SCC activities.