Citation

Brito TA, Coqueiro R daS, Fernandes MH, de Jesus CS. Public Health Nurs. 2014; 31(4): 290-297.

Affiliation

Núcleo de Estudos em Epidemiologia do Envelhecimento, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Bahia, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/phn.12126

PMID

24862435

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the fall-related factors in community-dwelling elderly. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Epidemiologic cross-sectional population-based household study with hierarchical interrelationships among the potential risk factors. The sample was made up of noninstitutionalized individuals over age 60, who were resident of a city in Brazil's Northeast Region. MEASURES: The dependent variable was fall occurrence in the last 12 months; independent variables were sociodemographic, behavioral, health, and functional status factors. Multivariate hierarchical Poisson regression analysis was used based on a proposed theoretic model.

RESULTS: Three hundred and sixteen (89.0%) elderly participated of the survey, average age 74.2 years; the majority was female, with limited literacy and had low-medium family income. The fall prevalence was of 25.8%; occurrence was related to depression symptoms (PR = 1.55) and balance limitation (PR = 1.56).

CONCLUSIONS: The high fall prevalence among elderly necessitates the identification of fall-related factors for action planning prevention programs with this group.

Language: en