OBJECTIVES: to determine the demographic social-epidemiological profile of elderly women enrolled at the Open University Program for Senior Citizens, Federal University of Pernambuco (UnATI/PE), as compared to other studies focusing senior citizens' universities. METHODS: epidemiological descriptive cross sectional and census study comprised of 308 elderly women starting at 60 years old enrolled at the UnATI/UFPE. A multidimensional tool, Brazil Old Age Schedule consisting of a structured questionnaire was used through which personal and family, economic and social conditions and aspects related to autonomy and functional independence in the performance of day to day activities and leisure were investigated. RESULTS: in relation to personal and family situation, the younger group (60 to 69 years old), consisting of high-school graduates and widows prevailed. They demonstrated high levels of autonomy and functional independence, capability of accomplishing day to day chores on their own and instrumental activities of day to day life. The majority offers financial help and homes to other family members. CONCLUSIONS: demographic social-epidemiological profile is very similar to the one of analogous experiments, close to the reality of elderly women enrolled at Open Universities for Senior Citizens programs.
Aged; Women; Aging; Epidemiology
