Community Profile Towards Risk for Unintentional Home Injuries Among Elderly in Low-Income Urban Area

Abstract

Introduction: Home injury among the elderly was among the recognized public health issues that could become more prevalent in any nation that would approach an ageing society. However, the community’s perception and preparedness toward the nature of this condition still needed to be improved. This study aimed to determine the community’s profile on unintentional home injury risks among the elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the community of low-income urban areas in Selangor, using non-probability sampling and a validated self-administered questionnaire covering three domains of risk for unintentional home injuries. Results: 246 respondents participated in this study, with a mean age of 40. The proportion of reported unintentional home injuries among the elderly was 7.3%. Fall was the most common type of injury (72.7%). Of the three domains for risks of unintentional home injuries, only two domains for risks of unintentional home injuries, were significantly associated with the community’s gender (with home safety domain: difficulties in moving things [p=0.027] and difficulties with a staircase [p=0.034]); self-manage domain: concerned when missing medications [p=0.029]), educational level (with self-manage domain: self-care ability [p=0.012] and ability to take balanced diet [p=0.008]), and occupational status (with self-manage domain: concerned when losing weight [p=0.028]) which were home safety and ability to self-manage. Conclusion: The gender and educational level of the community members might reflect different community profiles regarding the risk of unintentional home injuries among the elderly. Thus, to overcome the dangers of elderly unintentional home injuries in the future, policymakers should advocate targeted health education programs for both the elderly population and the community at large.