%0 Journal Article
%T Prevalence and risk factors for falls among older adults in a primary care facility in Ghana
%J Malawi medical journal
%D 2022
%A Adanusa, Madison
%A Pobee, Seth Kofi
%A Zaabaar, Ebenezer
%A Mawuko, Vukey
%A Asiedu, Kofi
%A Amuzu, Solomon Kweku
%A Adubofour, Wendy
%A Bazayeya, Celestine
%A Senaya, Ethel Enam Yawo
%A Ofori, Desiree Citsofe
%A Kyei, Samuel
%V 34
%N 4
%P 225-230
%X BACKGROUND: Falls are a serious problem and are among the leading causes of morbidity, functional dependency, and death in older adults. Falls have become a social and global public health concern due to the current aging population in Africa and across the globe. However, their prevalence and risk factors have received little attention in Africa. <br><br>PURPOSE: Thus, this study aimed to provide a baseline survey to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for falls among older adults attending a primary care facility in Cape Coast, Ghana. <br><br>RESULTS: Participants (n = 244) were patients aged 60 years and older who visited the University of Cape Coast Hospital. The prevalence of falls identified in this hospital-based study was 40.2%. The following independent variables were found to be statistically significant predictors of risk of falls among the participants when compared with their respective reference categories; age 80 years and above [OR = 3.707, 95% CI = 1.738 - 7.907, p = 0.001], participants who had a history of falls [OR = 2.234, 95% CI = 1.326 - 3.765, p = 0.003], participants with three or more co-morbidities [OR = 16.456, 95% CI = 2.099 - 129.020, p = 0.008] and obesity [OR = 2.211, 95% CI = 1.151 - 4.250, p = 0.017]. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The prevalence of falls among older adults is high. Thus, clinicians in the primary care setting should screen for, give fall prevention education, and prescribe appropriate interventions to at-risk patients.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Montfort Press
%@ 1995-7262
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v34i4.1