Effect of a Risk Reduction Intervention Strategy on Caregiver's Knowledge, Attitude and Practice related to Fall Prevention

Abstract

Falls are the main cause of morbidity and disability in the older adults. The risk doubles or triples in the presence of history of previous falls. This study aimed to assess the frequency of falls and associated risk factors in older adults and the effect of a risk reduction intervention strategy on knowledge, attitude and practice related to falls prevention among the caregivers of older adults. One group pre-–post-test study design was used. A total of 60 older adults and 60 caregivers were selected using simple random sampling method. Data were collected using the fall assessment questionnaire for frequency of falls among older adults. Majority, i.e., 42 (70%) of the older adults had no fall and 18 (30%) of the older adults had falls during the last 5 years. The overall mean score of pre-test knowledge of the caregiver was 14.08 and the post-test was 37.90, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mean score of pre-test practice was 9.45 whereas the post-test was 17.53, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In the current study, 40 (66.7%) caregivers had favourable attitude at both before and after intervention. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the overall mean of existence of short-term modifiable risk factors before and after the risk reduction intervention strategy.