Objective (s): Self-rated health (SRH) is a widely used and reliable indicator for assessing individual health status and health inequalities. Evidence suggests that socioeconomic conditions significantly shape individuals’ health perceptions. This study aimed to examine the association between key socioeconomic factors, including occupation, education, and income and SRH among adults in Tehran, Iran.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 adults aged 18–65 years in Tehran. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic variables (age, gender, marital status), socioeconomic indicators (occupation, education, income), and SRH. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to identify independent predictors of SRH.
Results: The mean (SD) age and years of education of participants were 38.06 (14.06) and 15.76 (3.36) years, respectively. Most participants reported their income as “faire” good nor bad” (53%). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that social class and age were the strongest predictors of SRH. Participants in the lower social class were more likely to report poor health compared to those in the upper class (OR=4.47, P=0.01). Additionally, increasing age was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting suboptimal health (OR=1.03, P=0.04). Other factors, including gender, education, occupation, and income, were not independently associated with SRH, although some showed associations in univariate analyses.
Conclusions: SRH appears to be predominantly influenced by social position and age rather than individual characteristics such as education, occupation, or income. These findings highlight the critical role of structural and social inequalities in shaping health outcomes. Public health policies should prioritize reducing social disparities and promoting social equity to improve population health.