Determinants of falls in community-dwelling elderly: hierarchical analysis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the fall-related factors in community-dwelling elderly.

Design and sample: Epidemiologic cross-sectional population-based household study with hierarchical interrelationships among the potential risk factors. The sample was made up of noninstitutionalized individuals over age 60, who were resident of a city in Brazil's Northeast Region.

Measures: The dependent variable was fall occurrence in the last 12 months; independent variables were sociodemographic, behavioral, health, and functional status factors. Multivariate hierarchical Poisson regression analysis was used based on a proposed theoretic model.

Results: Three hundred and sixteen (89.0%) elderly participated of the survey, average age 74.2 years; the majority was female, with limited literacy and had low-medium family income. The fall prevalence was of 25.8%; occurrence was related to depression symptoms (PR = 1.55) and balance limitation (PR = 1.56).

Conclusions: The high fall prevalence among elderly necessitates the identification of fall-related factors for action planning prevention programs with this group.

Keywords: accidental falls; aged; health services for the aged.