Citation

Neto JAC, Brum IV, Braga NAC, Gomes GF, Tavares PL, Silva RTC, Assad IM, Ferreira RE. Geriatr. Gerontol. Aging 2017; 11(1): 25-31.

Vernacular Title

Percepção sobre queda como fator determinante desse evento entre idosos residentes na comunidade

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of accidental falls among elderly persons in their homes, and to evaluate determining factors to that, including intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors, as well as the awareness about falls, assessed by the Falls Risk Awareness Questionnaire (FRAQ-Brazil).

METHOD: It consisted of a quantitative, transversal, and descriptive study, performed with 472 elderly persons through interview. Data were analyzed by the chi-squared test with a confidence interval of 95%.

RESULTS: The average age of the sample was 70.6 years and most of them were female. Among the sample, 55.2% referred previous episodes of fall. The majority of them self-reported having diseases associated with gait disturbance and used medicines that could cause falls. It was observed less falls among elderly with higher level of awareness about risk factors.

CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of accidental falls and exposure of the elderly persons to several independent and concomitant risk factors were observed. Greater awareness level about falls seems to be a preventive factor, presenting a higher association with falls than level of education and income.

Language: en