Current situation of falls in elderly and its influential factors in Baoshan District of Shanghai

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.