Citation

Akosile CO, Odidika FJ, Okoye EC, Adegoke BOA, Maruf FA, Oderinde AA, Kehinde AO, Raji NO. Ageing Int. 2014; 40(4): 327-337.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, International Federation On Ageing, Publisher Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s12126-014-9202-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

PURPOSE This study aimed at examining the levels of physical function (PF), fear of falling (FOF), occupational status and fall prevalence and the association among these variables in a Nigerian elderly sample.

METHODS 180 volunteering elderly individuals (72.1 ± 7.0 years) from selected South-Eastern, Nigeria communities participated in this study. The PF domain of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, the Fall Efficacy Scale (FES) and oral interview were used for evaluating participants' PF, FOF and fall experiences and occupational status.

RESULTS FOF and fall prevalence rates were 34.4 % and 27.8 % respectively. FOF (kw = 8.41, p = 0.00) and PF (kw = 6.48, p = 0.04) were significantly different for different categories of fallers, while individuals with FOF have significantly lower PF than those without FOF (u = 2004, p = 0.00). Occupational inactivity was significantly associated with presence of FOF (X 2 = 7.734, p = 0.005) Conclusions FOF and fall prevalence rates were high among participants, and majority function at a dependent level. Poor PF is associated with individuals with either multiple falls and/or with presence of FOF while being occupationally inactive is associated with FOF presence but not with PF and fall frequency. Therapy focus for older adults should be on enhancing PF and encouraging occupational activeness.

Language: en