Gholam Reza Sotoudeh1, Reza Mohammadi2, Zahra Mosallanezhad3, Eija Viitasara4, Joaquim J F Soares4. 1. Department of Health Sciences, Section of Public Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden; Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: reza.sotoudeh@miun.se. 2. Department of Health Sciences, Section of Public Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden; Unit for Family Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 3. Department of Physiotherapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Department of Health Sciences, Section of Public Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Falling threatens the health, independence and quality of life of older adults. Information about characteristics and predisposing factors of falls is essential to develop and implement effective preventing measure. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, circumstances and consequences of falls among community-dwelling older adults in Tehran, Iran, and scrutinize factors (e.g. demographics) associated with falls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran. A total of 653 individuals aged 65 years and over were selected by a stratified random sampling as representing older adults in Tehran. All required data were collected through face-to-face interviews using questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence of falls was 39.7% and higher in women than in men. For both sexes, most of the falls occurred in the afternoon (n = 135, 52.1%) and at home (n = 209, 80.7%). One-fourth of the falls (23.2%) occurred in a forward direction, mostly among women (60%). For both sexes, one-third of the causes of falls were loss of balance, mostly among women and the oldest persons. Two-hundred and twelve of the fallers reported injuries. The logistic regression showed that female gender, low education and constant worries about living expenses were significantly associated with falls. CONCLUSIONS: This study may have provided new insights into the characteristics/ circumstances/ consequences of injurious falls and their relation with age, gender and injury severity in Iran. It may be useful for health policy makers and health providers when designing falls intervention and prevention programs at the community level.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Falling threatens the health, independence and quality of life of older adults. Information about characteristics and predisposing factors of falls is essential to develop and implement effective preventing measure. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, circumstances and consequences of falls among community-dwelling older adults in Tehran, Iran, and scrutinize factors (e.g. demographics) associated with falls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran. A total of 653 individuals aged 65 years and over were selected by a stratified random sampling as representing older adults in Tehran. All required data were collected through face-to-face interviews using questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence of falls was 39.7% and higher in women than in men. For both sexes, most of the falls occurred in the afternoon (n = 135, 52.1%) and at home (n = 209, 80.7%). One-fourth of the falls (23.2%) occurred in a forward direction, mostly among women (60%). For both sexes, one-third of the causes of falls were loss of balance, mostly among women and the oldest persons. Two-hundred and twelve of the fallers reported injuries. The logistic regression showed that female gender, low education and constant worries about living expenses were significantly associated with falls. CONCLUSIONS: This study may have provided new insights into the characteristics/ circumstances/ consequences of injurious falls and their relation with age, gender and injury severity in Iran. It may be useful for health policy makers and health providers when designing falls intervention and prevention programs at the community level.
Authors: Barbara Resnick; Marie Boltz; Elizabeth Galik; Sarah Holmes; Steven Fix; Shijun Zhu Journal: Res Gerontol Nurs Date: 2019-10-04 Impact factor: 1.571