TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Falls among community-dwelling older adults in Ethiopia; a preliminary cross-sectional study
JO  - PLoS one
A1  - Janakiraman, Balamurugan
A1  - Temesgen, Melaku Hailu
A1  - Jember, Gashaw
A1  - Gelaw, Asmare Yitayeh
A1  - Gebremeskel, Berihu Fisseha
A1  - Ravichandran, Hariharasudhan
A1  - Worku, Emnet
A1  - Abich, Yohannes
A1  - Yilak, Fekadu
A1  - Belay, Misganaw
SP  - e0221875
EP  - e0221875
VL  - 14
IS  - 9
N2  - BACKGROUND: Falls among older adults is a common precipitating factor for unintentional injuries and represent a major health problem associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health care cost in low-and-middle-income countries. The burden of fall in this population is well established in high-income countries and scant attention is given to this precipitating factor in low-and-middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with fall among community-dwelling older adults in Ethiopia. <br><br>METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among community-dwelling older adults of Gondar. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used across administrative areas. Six hundred and five households were selected proportionally using systematic random sampling technique. Physical measurement and face to face interview method were employed using a structured questionnaire for data collection. Data were analyzed descriptively and through uni- and multivariate logistic regression model. <br><br>RESULTS: One hundred and seventy (n = 170, 28.4%; 95% CI 24.7-32.1) community-dwelling older adults reported having experienced fall in the past 12 months. Sex (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.24-2.95), low educational status (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.19-4.74), uncomfortable home environment (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.34, 3.04), having diagnosed medical condition (OR = 4.659, 95% CI: 1.20-18.02), and use of medication (OR = 5.57, 95% CI: 1.19-26.21) were significantly associated risk factors of self-reported fall in the past 12 months. Most outdoor falls are associated with females and participants aged below 66 years. <br><br>CONCLUSION: In conclusion, more than 1/4th of the community-dwelling older adults experienced at least one episode of fall and about 60% of them reported recurrent falls. Identifying risk group and risk factors that could be modified so as to prevent falls in older adults deserves attention. Outdoor falls are usually attributable to modifiable environmental aspects and improvements in outdoor environment needed.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1932-6203
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221875
ID  - ref1
ER  -