ObjectiveTo ascertain the situation of falls and its influential factors among older adults in Baoshan District of Shanghai, and to provide evidence for its further prevention.

MethodsBy means of multiple-stage cluster sampling were selected a total of 2 849 older adults from 4 neighborhood committees of two communities.They were retrospectively investigated for their falls and influential factors.

ResultsThe incidence of falls in elderly within the past one year was 10.28% (293/2 849);Calculation by person/time was 14.15% (403/2 849);The majority of falls occurred at home (45.55%).Logistic regression models showed that for female respondents(OR=1.446, 95%CI:1.099-1.901), there were risk factors on the ground in their rooms(OR=1.435, 95%CI:1.039-1.981), some with chronic diseases(OR=1.726, 95%CI:1.130-2.637), might have had experience of falls(OR=4.325, 95%CI:3.265-5.729) and needed crutches(OR=1.906, 95%CI:1.346-2.697) and poor lighting within the corridor (OR=1.668, 95%CI:1.042-2.669)were more likely to cause a higher risk of falls.And respondents who often participated in outdoor activities were protective factors of falls(OR=0.855, 95%CI:0.755-0.967).

ConclusionFalls in older adults result from internal factors (age-related physiological changes, disease, etc) and environmental factors, prevention of falls in elderly needs comprehensive measures.