Table 3

Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the effect of children's out-migration on elderly's experience of health problems (symptoms/diseases), perceived health status, chronic disease, illness and treatment-seeking behavior

No out-migration of adult children = reference category

Dependent variables

OR

CI

Cox & Shell R square

Mental health status (n = 28, 677)

Symptoms of poor mental health (ref: No symptom)

At least one poor mental health symptom

1.10***

1.05-1.17

0.124

Perceived health status within previous 7 days (n = 28, 677)

Self-assessed health (ref: Good )

Poor

1.03

0.98-1.09

0.128

Chronic diseases (n = 28, 677)

Chronic disease (ref: No)

At least one chronic disease

1.02

0.97-1.08

0.161

Illness (n = 28, 677)

Felt sick during the previous 5 years (ref: No)

Yes

1.00

0.95-1.07

0.116

Healthcare-seeking behavior (n = 18, 541)

Treatment sought for the last illness (ref: No)

Yes

1.22***

1.11-1.33

0.113

Notes: Logistic regression was run separately for each dependent variable.

Models were fitted after controlling for age, sex, place of residence, education, number of children, living arrangements, and household income.

*** = p < 0.001

Adhikari et al. BMC Public Health 2011 11:143   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-143