Post stroke fall and associated factors among stroke survivors at hospitals in Jimma town, oromia regional state, Southwest Ethiopia, 2025: a cross sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Post-stroke fall is a common incidence among stroke survivors, and it has several detrimental effects on this group of people. It significantly influences their well-being, increasing morbidity and reducing functional independence. It also leads to limiting activity and participation, increasing dependence and developing a fear of movements. In addition, it delay the progress of motor and cognitive recovery, as the patients may avoid activities that increase their risk of falling. Therefore, assessing post-stroke falls and their associated factors is necessary to address their consequences.

Subjects: Stroke survivors who attended stroke units and physiotherapy outpatient clinics at hospitals in Jimma town, Oromia Regional State, South west Ethiopia.

Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study with a systematic random sampling technique was employed, and the data collection occurred through chart review, physical examination, and face-to-face interviews. The collected data was analyzed on SPSS Version 25. Bi-variable analysis was used to determine potential candidate variables. Finally, an adjusted odds ratio with a P value < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant.

Result: Among the study participants, 59.5% (235) of stroke survivors experienced post-stroke falls. Key factors includes an older age group (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.159-9.020), hemorrhagic type of stroke (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.036-3.088), spastic muscle tone (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.343-5.394), altered mental status (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.019-2.819), less number one caregiver (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.119-3.026), and late admission to hospital (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.115-3.952).

Conclusion: More than half of stroke survivors had a history Post-stroke falls in the Jimma town with key factors including older age, type of stroke, spastic muscle tone, ≤one caregiver, late admission to hospital, and altered mental status.