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. 2024 Nov 20;24(1):965.
doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-05560-7.

Fear of falling and its related factors in older adults following a fall in Kashan, Iran (2023-2024)

Fatemeh Sadat Izadi-Avanji  1 , Azade Safa  2 , Masoumeh Abedzadeh-Kalahroudi  3 , Negin Shaterian  4
Affiliations

Fear of falling and its related factors in older adults following a fall in Kashan, Iran (2023-2024)

Fatemeh Sadat Izadi-Avanji et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: Falling is a significant challenge in old age, often leading to isolation, self-imposed limitation, reduced movement, and muscle strength. This study aimed to explore the fear of falling and its related factors in older adults following a fall in Kashan, Iran.

Methods: This cross-sectional study followed 200 older adults who visited medical centers in Kashan from July 2023 to May 2024. Continuous sampling was carried out. Data collection involved a background information questionnaire, the shortened version of the falls efficacy scale-international in older adults, the independence scale of activities of daily living, and the short-form state-trait anxiety inventory. Data were gathered before, one month, and three months after the fall. Data analysis utilized SPSS-24, including t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results: Participants had a mean age of 71.34 ± 8.36 years (ranging from 65 to 96 years). There was a significant increase in fear of falling scores one month and three months after the fall (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression revealed that factors such as illiteracy, old age, and previous falls were predictors of fear of falling before the fall (P < 0.05). One month after the fall, predictors included illiteracy, hip fracture, and high anxiety scores (P < 0.05). Three months after the fall, predictors encompassed illiteracy, hip fracture, high anxiety score, and internal fixator placement as a treatment intervention (P < 0.05), explaining 15% of the variance in fear of falling.

Conclusions: Identifying predictive factors for fear of falling can assist health policymakers in developing a holistic care plan to enhance the quality of life for older adults post-fall. It is essential to screen for fear of falling levels, particularly after trauma, offer educational counseling services, particularly in mental health, after discharge, and prepare training programs related to fall prevention.

Keywords: Accidental falls; Aged; Fear.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was approved by the Kashan Medical College Institutional Review Board and Research Ethics Committee (Project NO: 402096, Ethical code: IR.KAUMS.NUHEPM.REC.1402.041). Participants were informed in detail about the research and informed consent was obtained from all participants. All procedures were performed under approved protocols and all relevant local and national research guidelines and regulations. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A conceptual framework for exploring the relationships between old age, fall, and fear of fall
Fig.2
Fig.2
Fear of fall in participants before, one month, and three months after the fall
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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