Defining falls and associated risk factors in elderly among age groups and sex

Aim

This study aims to determine the prevalence of falls and associated risk factors among elderly living in Sinop, Turkey.

Materials and methods

The universe of this cross-sectional study consists of 32506 people older than 65 years old whom are registered to the family physicians’ information system and live in Sinop. After stratification for sex and age (65-74, 75 and over) a sample size of 2463 and 92.1% were reached. Data about some of the socio-demographic characteristics, falling status, daily living activity functionalities, depression status and awareness about falls of the participants were collected via a structuralized questionnaire. Relations between falls and associated risk factors were assessed by four different logistic regression models.

Results

The mean of falling prevalence after age 65 among elderly was 36.4%. Not being graduated from any school, having low scores for current health conditions, using more than one drug daily, not being able to walk without support and being positive for depression are found to be risk factors for falling among both sex and age groups. Having a chronic disease, living alone, having fear of falling, having low awareness about falls, being dependent in daily living activities and having inadequate knowledge about prevention from falls are found to be risk factors for at least two of the sex and age groups. There were no statistically significant relations between falling risk and previous or current employment status.

Conclusion

Falls are important public health concerns among elderly and the variability of risk factors depending on determinants such as age and sex should be considered while planning further implementations targeting fall prevention and control of risk factors for elderly.