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. 2025 Aug 5;25(1):593.
doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-06270-4.

The prevalence and determinants of home accidents among older men and women in Türkiye

Mevlana Gul  1 , Esra Bayrakceken  2 , Omer Alkan  3 , Ali Gur  1
Affiliations

The prevalence and determinants of home accidents among older men and women in Türkiye

Mevlana Gul et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Abstract

Background: The population is aging, and cases of geriatric trauma are becoming increasingly common. Home accidents represent a significant public health problem for older individuals. It is imperative that we recognize the special considerations that must be taken into account to provide appropriate care. The present study aims to identify the factors associated with home accidents among individuals aged 60 and over in Türkiye.

Methods: The study involved a descriptive and causal-comparative quantitative research design. Microdata obtained from the Türkiye Health Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute in 2019 and 2022 were used, with a sample size of 8,225 older adults. A stratified two-step cluster sampling method was employed. The study's dependent variable was the occurrence of home accidents, measured by means of the question "Have you experienced a home accident resulting in injury in the last 12 months? (Yes, No)." The independent variables were those available in the Türkiye Health Survey. Frequencies and percentages were obtained considering the home accident occurrence and years among the older participants. Binary logistic regression (enter) analyses were then applied to identify the risk factors affecting home accidents in older individuals.

Results: The probability of home accidents in 2019 and 2022 was 50.2% and 50.4% higher, respectively, in women compared to men. The probability of home accidents among older individuals who were illiterate or had not completed any schooling was 67.4% lower than those educated to elementary school level or higher in 2019. Home accidents were 42% less likely among married older individuals, and 24.4% less probable among employed individuals, in 2022. The probability of home accidents among older individuals with arthrosis was 65.7% lower in 2019 compared to those without arthrosis.

Conclusion: Individuals of advanced age are susceptible to accidents in their domestic environments. A wide spectrum of factors contributes to the occurrence of such accidents. The prevention of home accidents requires an awareness of the risk factors involved, an enhancement of programs designed to facilitate healthy aging, and an increased emphasis on preventive measures. Some lifestyle modifications (exercise, nutritional therapy, home design, and the use of assistive devices) can be employed to minimise the risk factors for falls in older individuals, and the medications they use for morbid conditions should be reviewed. Improving the self-care skills of the geriatric population, educating and supporting the older adult and their carers will reduce the number of traumatic injuries requiring hospitalisation.

Keywords: Accidental falls; Accidental injuries; Frail older adult; Functionally impaired older adult; Geriatric trauma; Home accidents; Logistic regressions; Statistical models; Turkish people; Turkish statistical Institute.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The data were obtained through the joint teamwork of both the Turkish Statistical Institute and the European Union Statistical Office. We obtained this data from TSI in return for a contract without needing an ethics committee document and used it in our study. The TSI is an institution that compiles, evaluates, and presents statistical information to decision-makers to prepare development plans and programs, make economic decisions, and address all other issues needed. It carries out internationally comparable statistical production activities according to the standards of organizations such as the European Union Statistical Office, the United Nations, OECD, ILO, etc. The TSI collects data within the scope of the Official Statistics Program. The Official Statistics Program is prepared for five-year periods based on the Turkish Statistics Law No. 5429 to determine the basic principles and standards regarding the production and publication of official statistics and to ensure the production of up-to-date, reliable, timely, transparent and impartial data in areas of need at national and international levels (52). TSI also conducts the Türkiye Health Survey within the scope of the Official Statistics Program put into effect by law. Since the Türkiye Health Survey is conducted within the scope of legal responsibility by the state, ethical approval is not required (53). For this study, secondary data were employed. Official approval was received from the Turkish Statistical Institute to use the microdata set from the Türkiye Health Survey. The Türkiye Health Survey provides many indicators in the field of health, including the utilization of health services by individuals aged 15 and over, the degree of difficulty they experience in performing their daily activities, and their smoking and alcohol use habits. The TSI also received a “Letter of Undertaking” authorizing it to use the study’s data. The letter of undertaking for the use of micro data without restrictions in dissemination: Article 1- This letter of undertaking determines the rules, principles and obligations of the use of micro data, which are safe to disclose apart from the Presidency. Article 2-This letter of undertaking regulates the use of micro data sets of Türkiye Health Survey in 2019, 2022, within the framework of the Directive on Access and Use of Micro Data in line with the purpose specified in Article 1. Article 3- The following provisions apply for the use of micro data: a) Findings obtained by the researcher as a result of incorrect calculation only bind the researcher. b) The researcher refers to the micro data of the Institution that he uses while disclosing the results obtained from the study. c) The researcher is obliged to send a copy of the published report, article, publication etc. to the Institution Library within three months at the latest. Subsequent micro data usage requests of the researcher who is found not to fulfill this obligation are not covered. d) The researcher cannot reproduce, give to third parties, sell or transfer the micro data set he obtained. Article 4-The researcher, by taking into account the principles of confidentiality defined in 13. and 14. articles of TSI numbered 5429 and Regulation on Procedures and Principles Regarding Data Confidentiality and Confidential Data Security in Official Statistics, is deemed to guarantee hereby that he shall not disclose the information, table, etc. violating this principle and shall only use micro data for statistical purposes. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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