Factors related with fall in community‐dwelling older adults in Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the fall rate and risk factors of fall. This study included 75 community ‐ dwelling older adults (23 males and 52 females) who lived in the Bang Si Thong city of Thailand. The average age of the participants was 70.7 years old. As a method, the participants received a questionnaire assessing the fall risk and motor functions. In addition to the questionnaire, physical and motor functions were measured. The descriptive statistics in fall related data and sociodemographic data were calculated. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factor related with fall, with the presence or absence of a history of fall as the dependent variable. The data from physical and motor functions and sociodemographic factors were entered into the logistic regression model. The statistical significance level was set at p ＜ 0.05. As the results, the Short Physical Performance Battery tests were performed for assessing lower extremity functions, and more than 50% of the participants scored 9 points. In addition, 35 participants (46.7%) had experienced a fall. The frequency of indoor falls was higher than that of outdoor falls. Our findings revealed that the risk factors of falls comprised “Pain of Knees and Hip (odds ratio ＝ 5.08 and 6.40, p ＜ 0.05)”, “Standing ability (odds ratio ＝ 4.10, p ＜ 0.05)”, “Grip Strength (odds ratio ＝ 0.83, p ＜ 0.05)”, and “Fear of fall (odds ratio ＝ 2.22, p ＜ 0.05)”. In addition to these physical functional factors, the psychological factor of fear of falling was also associated. It is suggested that a detailed assessment and examination of intervention methods contribute to fall prevention.