Associations of socioeconomic and health related factors with fall risk on community dwelling older adults from Alentejo. (24th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jerônimo, A; Santos, M; Picamilho, S; Caldas, M; Pereira, C
• Is Part Of: European journal of public health. Volume 30(2020)Supplement 2
• Publication Date: 2020-06-24
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Europe -- Periodicals; Public health -- Europe -- Periodicals; 362.109405
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa040.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1101-1262

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction With the world, population ageing falls become a problem. Portugal follows this tendency, particularly in Alentejo. Ecological models evidence that biological, behaviour and socioeconomic factors explain falls. However, the role of socioeconomic and health-related factors on the risk of falls is not well known. Objectives To analyse the association of socioeconomic and health-related factors with fall risk on community-dwelling older adults from Alentejo. Methodology This observational study involved 384 community-dwelling older adults (73.6 ± 6.0 years), the minimal sample size calculated by Open Epi Online program, of whom 40.6% fell at least once in the previous year. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, schooling, retirement age, living alone and yield) and health-related factors (number of health conditions, cognitive state, fat mass %, physical activity, and depression index) were accessed. Results Univariate Regression Logistic showed that gender was the only sociodemographic characteristics which significantly explains falls occurrence, in which to be woman increases the likelihood of falling on 96% (OR: 1.96, p < 0.05). As regard health-related factors, results show that for each additional health condition the likelihood of falling increased 17%, for each additional 1% on fat mass this likelihood increased 4%, and for each additional point on depression index this likelihood increased 15.1% (OR: 1.04 to 1.17, p < 0.05). Conclusion Health-related factors showed to be more preponderant in the occurrence of falls compared to socio-demographic characteristics. Women with more chronic conditions increased fat mass, and high depression index will be the most susceptible to falls. Thus, preventive measures should play particular attention to these persons.