Fall Prevalence Research Articles

Cataract blindness related falls among older adults: A prospective cohort study in Ghana

AbstractBackgroundCataract, the leading cause of blindness worldwide, can significantly impair visual function.PurposeThis study investigated the association between cataract‐related falls among the elderly population in the Central region of Ghana.MethodsThe prospective cohort study among cataract patients aged 65 years and older, using purposive sampling to select facilities and consecutive sampling to recruit participants. ResultsThe study achieved a 40% successful follow‐up rate at 3 months post‐surgery. Among the 500 older adult patients, 131 (26.2%) reported falls before undergoing cataract surgery. Of the 200 patients who had 24.0% falls pre‐operatively, the prevalence of falls 3 months after surgical intervention was 16%. Demographics were not significantly associated with the risk of falling before cataract surgery (p > 0.05). However, participants with chronic conditions were 2.18 times more likely to fall than those without chronic conditions. Patients with hypertension (2.23 times) and diabetes (2.49 times) had higher risk of fall compared to those without these conditions. Additionally, patients with retinal conditions (2.86 times), and those with balance problems (1.86 times) were more prone to falling before surgical intervention than their counterparts without.ConclusionThe study highlights the significant impact of cataract surgery in reducing fall prevalence among older adults.

Risk factors for falls in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study.

The study was to estimate the prevalence of falls with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and investigate the associated risk factors. The study design employed was cross-sectional. The participants for this study were recruited from a community-based diabetes specialist clinic. Data were collected from medical records and structured questionnaires, which included assessments of activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Taiwan Geriatric Depression Scale, and Chinese version of the Tilburg frailty indicator. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors. The study analyzed a total of 242 T2D patients with a mean age of 73.9 ± 5.9 years. The overall fall prevalence rate was 19.7%. The faller trait tendency to female, lower education, history of falls, body mass index ≥ 29 kg/m2, instrumental activities of daily living ≥ 1 task disability, cognitive impairment, depression, poor grip strength, and longer walking time. After adjusting for confounding, showed each additional unit on the depression score increases the fall risk by 11.9% (AOR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02-1.38, P = .027). Depression was a significant factor for falls in older adults with T2D. The study highlights the importance of targeted, multifaceted clinical interventions focusing on gender, age, and mental health to effectively reduce fall probability and improve the quality of life for the older adults.

Hazardous alcohol consumption is associated with an increased occurrence of falls among people with HIV in the PROSPER-HIV Study.

Falls are a significant public health concern, particularly among older adults and people with HIV (PWH). This study examines the association between alcohol consumption and falls in PWH. The PROSPER-HIV study recruited PWH from four US sites. Participants were categorized based on Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C) scores: none, non-hazardous, and hazardous drinking. Data collection included demographics, medical history (i.e., comorbidities, treated hypertension, eGFR), alcohol consumption using AUDIT-C, daily alcohol recall in grams, and self-reported falls over the previous year. Physical performance was measured using the Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB). Statistical analyses included Pearson's correlation and Poisson regression models to estimate fall prevalence ratios (PR), adjusting for confounders (SPPB, comorbidities, treated hypertension, and eGFR). The study included 315 PWH, aged 52 ± 12 years, with 78% male participants. Thirty-three percent were classified as non-drinking, 50% non-hazardous, and 17% hazardous drinking. Poisson regression showed a significantly higher risk of falls (PR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.11-4.03) and recurrent falls (PR: 3.54, 95% CI: 1.21-10.3) among hazardous drinking compared to non-hazardous drinking, even after adjusting for confounders. The PR for falls per daily intake in grams was not statistically significant. There is a significant association between hazardous alcohol consumption and increased fall risk in PWH using AUDIT-C, but not when accessing recall of alcohol consumption in grams.

Prevalence and Determinants of Hair Fall, Hair Loss and Premature Graying in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalence and Determinants of Hair Fall, Hair Loss and Premature Graying in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Falls and fall-related injuries: prevalence, characteristics, and treatment among participants of the Geelong Osteoporosis Study.

Falls are a significant public health challenge, especially among older adults. In Australia, falls and related injuries incur an annual cost of $2.3 billion. However, there is a scarcity of prevalence data on falls among population-based groups. This study aimed to report the characteristics, circumstances, and treatment for falls and fall-related injuries in a population-based sample of Australian men and women. Participants from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study provided cross-sectional data: baseline for men (2001-2006) and 10-year follow-up for women (2004-2008). Falls over the previous 12 months were self-reported by 2,631 participants aged 20-97 years (1,533 men and 1,098 women). The study described the timing, location, cause, and treatment of falls. Fall prevalence was standardized to the 2006 Australian population. Data collection included self-reported prior fractures, medication, disease conditions, anthropometry, and biochemical tests. Binary logistic regression identified factors linked to fall-related injuries. Fall rates by age group: 20-29 (24.4%), 30-39 (21.5%), 40-49 (18.7%), 50-59 (24.9%), 60-69 (25.0%), 70-79 (34.6%), 80+ (40.5%). The age-standardized prevalence of falls was 25.0% (95% CI: 23.4-26.7%). In adults ≥65 years, the age-standardized prevalence of falls was 32.4% (95% CI: 29.3-35.5%). Fallers were typically older, less mobile, had higher BMI and cholesterol levels, and were more likely to have musculoskeletal conditions, cancer, and polypharmacy. Men had a higher fall risk, but fewer fall-related fractures compared to women. Most falls occurred outdoors (62.1%), were due to extrinsic cause (58.5%), and were on the same level (78.5%). Factors associated with fall-related injuries included being female, elevated falls and falls outside the home. Nearly half (45.7%) of those injured sought medical attention, primarily from general practitioners (25.7%) and emergency departments (12.6%). Falls are common, occurring in approximately one quarter of adults in this study, with a greater prevalence among those ≥65 years. Women experienced fewer multiple falls than men. Many participants sought medical attention, primarily from general practitioners. This research identifies fall characteristics and circumstances, informing targeted prevention strategies to reduce occurrences and alleviate burdens on healthcare systems and individuals.

Evaluating FREDeX (Falls Reduction and Empathy Development eXperience) – a novel simulation training program for healthcare workers

Abstract Purpose: Care after falls constitutes a substantial cost to the Australian health system. The Falls Reduction and Empathy Development Experience (FREDeX), a hybrid simulation training program, was designed in rural NSW. This paper initiates a multi-pronged evaluation of FREDeX. Methodology: Pre- and post-training survey data was collected from voluntary FREDeX trainees. Surveys included validated empathy, compassion, and person-centred-care assessment tools, as well as questions about workshop quality and open-ended response questions. Findings: There was significant improvement in trainees' empathy, compassion, and person-centred care scores. Trainees expressed positivity about FREDeX, noting facilitators and challenges of the program, and implications for professional practice. FREDeX enhanced empathy, aiding better patient understanding, communication, and personalised care. Implications: Significant evidence has emerged demonstrating the efficacy of virtual reality and other simulation training for empathy and compassion in clinical contexts. FREDeX enhances soft skills through a hybrid simulation training approach, proving to be engaging and educational. It is valuable for the delivery of person-centred care, and a compelling program based on effectiveness and ease of implementation. Originality and value: FREDeX has demonstrated implications for improving empathy and compassion in rural and urban healthcare professionals and enables more person-centred care. The positive outcomes from FREDeX suggest broader adoption of hybrid simulation training may enhance soft skills and healthcare quality, emphasising the potential of technology-driven learning for health workforce capacity. Limitations: While this evaluation demonstrates the value of FREDeX, further evaluation will seek to bridge the gap between demonstrated improvements in assessed metrics of care ability and direct improvements to patient care, by assessing fall rates, harm assessments, and clinical notes for participating facilities. This will endeavour to determine changes in fall prevalence and improvement in management and care for falls.

Abstract P371: Prevalence, Timing, and Location of Falls in an Older Population with Treated Hypertension

Background: Falls are common among older adults and predict subsequent morbidity and mortality. There is a dearth of knowledge about the timing and location of falls in community-based populations of older adults. Methods: We identified members of Kaiser Permanente Southern California aged ≥65 years diagnosed with hypertension enrolled in the AMBulatoRy blOod preSsure In older Adults (AMBROSIA) study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained from electronic health records while self-administered surveys captured social history and presence of functional impairment. Participants submitted 12 monthly falls calendars recording the time and location of each fall, and whether the fall resulted in medical care. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare participant characteristics between those who reported a fall vs. no fall. Results: We included 632 participants (mean age 74.6 years [range 65-95]; 57% female; 44% non-Hispanic White, 23% non-Hispanic Black, 18% Hispanic, and 13% Asian/Pacific Islander). Overall, 240 participants (38%) reported 680 falls during follow-up with 9% of falls requiring medical care. Those who reported a fall were older, more likely to be White, have a history of self-reported falls, have consumed alcoholic beverages in the past year and have ≥1 functional impairment (all p-values <.05) compared to those who reported no falls. Over a 24-hour period, 41%, 35%, and 24% of the falls occurred between 6am-12pm, 12pm-6pm, and 6pm-6am, respectively. Further, 59% of falls occurred at an indoor location. Conclusion: Falls among community-dwelling, older adults with hypertension were common with few requiring medical care. Although most falls occurred during daytime hours, approximately one fourth occurred during nighttime hours. Further, the majority of falls occurred at an indoor location. Providers should be informed that many falls occur among older adults without presentation to a healthcare facility, and strategies should include prevention of falls indoors and during the daytime.

Incidence of falls and fall-related characteristics in hospitalized children in South Korea: a descriptive study.

With the recent increase in interest in patient safety, prevention of falls in hospitalized children has become important. This study aimed to identify the incidence rate of falls among hospitalized children and explore fall-related characteristics. This retrospective descriptive study analyzed the medical information of 18,119 patients aged <18 years admitted to a general hospital in South Korea from electronic medical records and fall event reports between January 1, 2018, and September 30, 2023. The study variables included the general and clinical characteristics of the fall group and fall-related characteristics of the fall events. This study employed descriptive statistics and a chi-square test using IBM SPSS version 26.0. Among the patients, 82 fall events were identified. Therefore, the fall incidence rate was 4.5 falls per 1,000 patients. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was found concerning the type of injury sustained between children >1 year old and those <1 year old, and most cases had no damage or bruises. More cases were found in which falls occurred two days after hospitalization in winter and summer than on the day or the day after hospitalization, which was a statistically significant difference. In addition, fall prevalence was higher between 8 am and 4 pm, and when no caregiver was present. Based on the results of this study, education and interventions to prevent fall events in infants and toddlers should persist throughout hospitalization, and it is necessary to guide continuous management and observation of the caregivers.

Global burden of fall and associated factors among individual with low vision: A systematic-review and meta-analysis.

Low vision has a significant global health problem that impacts the personal, economical, psychological, and social life of an individual. Each year around 684 000 individuals die from falls, 80% of these deaths occur are in low- and middle-income countries. The risk of falling significantly increases with visual impairment. This review aimed to determine the global pooled prevalence of fall and associated factors among individuals with low vision. Systematic search of published studies done on PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science CINAHL and, Google Scholar. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used to report the findings. Quality of studies was assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects method using the STATA™ Version 14 software. Thirty-five (35) studies from different regions involving 175,297 participants included in this meta-analysis. The overall pooled global prevalence fall among individual with low vision was17.7% (95% CI: 16.4-18.9) whereas the highest prevalence was 35.5%; (95% CI: 28.4-42.5) in Australia and the lowest was 19.7%; (95% CI: 7.6-31.8) seen in South America. Fear of falling (OR: 0.16(95%CI 0.09-0.30), and severity of visual impairment (OR: 0.27(95%CI (0.18-0.39) increases the odds of falling. As one cause of accidental death, the prevalence of falls among individuals with low vision is high. Fear of falling and severity of falling increases the odds of falling. Different stakeholders should give due attention and plan effective strategies to reduce the fall among this population.

The Impact of Demographics and Comorbidities on Fall Incidence and Prevalence in Older Adults.

Falls among older adults are more than mere accidents; they are a silent epidemic, profoundly impacting the health and well-being of millions of older adults worldwide. This study examines the incidence and prevalence of falls among individuals aged 65 and above, focusing on the influence of demographic factors and comorbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and obesity. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the TriNetX network at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCUHS) from 2019 to 2023. The study population included 16,400 individuals aged 65 and above who presented with fall-related trauma. Data on demographics, clinical diagnoses, procedures, and comorbid conditions were analyzed using descriptive statistics to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of falls. The mean age of the study population was 77.3 years, with a higher proportion of females (60.97%) compared to males (39.02%). Despite the larger number of female participants, incidence and prevalence of falls were highest among individuals aged 65-69 years, and fall rates were notably higher among males compared to females. This suggests that while fewer in number, males in our study experienced falls more frequently. Patients with hypertension had the highest incidence proportion (56.67%) and prevalence (75.75%) among comorbid conditions. Falls among older adults are significantly influenced by demographic factors and comorbid conditions. Hypertension, in particular, is associated with the highest fall risk. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to manage comorbidities and reduce fall risks among older adult patients.

Frailty and falls in community-dwelling older adults in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

PurposeFrailty and falls are two major health challenges in older adults, but little is known about their levels and interactions in community-dwelling older adults in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this scoping review was to map the literature on frailty and falls with respect to their definitions, measurement methods, associated factors, and interactions in this setting. MethodsA systematic search of eight databases and four other relevant sources was performed with no language restriction using combinations of the keywords ‘frailty’, ‘older adults’, ‘falls’ and ‘Africa’ and their synonyms. ResultsThirty-six studies from nine countries in the sub-region met the inclusion criteria. The average age for participant inclusion in the studies was 50 years. The Frailty Phenotype and the Frailty Index were the primary assessment methods used, yielding frailty prevalence rates ranging from 5.4 % to 17.4 % and 20.6 % to 60.0 %, respectively. Fall prevalence ranged from 20.8 % to 55.1 %, while recurrent falls were reported in 11.0 % to 24.6 % of cases. Comorbidities/multimorbidity and increasing age were the most reported clinical and socio-demographic factors associated with frailty. Low functional status and being female were the primary factors associated with falls. Conclusions and recommendationsIn sub-Saharan Africa, there appears to be a high prevalence of frailty and falls in a relatively young cohort of older adults. Future studies should focus on developing frailty definitions and assessment methods that are culturally appropriate in this setting.

Prevalence and risk factors for falls among the community dwelling older adults of Thrissur: A pilot study.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, every year 28-35% of people over 65 years and 32-42% of people over 70 years experience falls. Given that many falls are preventable, can occur in any population, and can result in significant morbidity and mortality, falls are receiving more attention as a major global issue. The objectives of this study were as follows: 1. To measure the prevalence of falls among the elderly living in the Thrissur Taluk Health Centre. 2. To identify the risk factors associated with falls in the elderly using the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (CDCs STEADI) 2019 scale and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) scale. 3. To find the association between the risk factors and the prevalence of fall among older people. A cross-sectional study was conducted to find the prevalence of fall among the elderly in Thrissur Taluk Health Centers. CDCs STEADI 2019 fall risk assessment tool was used to assess the risk factors associated with the elderly. TUG test was used to determine gait, balance, strength, and posture. In our study, we discovered a prevalence of 41 percent of falls among the community-dwelling older adults of Thrissur. This study has shown that the risk of fall was higher among the female elderly population. 88% are found to be at high risk of fall, and 65% of the population were worried about fall. This study found out a high prevalence of falls among community dwelling older adults.A future study with a larger sample size would be more helpful to confirm the impact of different variables in relation to the risk of fall among the elderly.

Nationwide Update on Prevalence of Falls, Injurious Falls, Concerns About Falling, and Fall Prevention in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.

The aim of the study is to estimate the current nationwide prevalence of falls, injurious falls, concerns about falling, and information on fall prevention among people with multiple sclerosis. This is a cross-sectional national web-based survey that included 965 adult people with multiple sclerosis. Participants self-reported falls and injurious falls experienced in the past 6 months. Participants also provided information on their concerns about falling and information on fall prevention received. A total of 56% reported falling in the past 6 months. The prevalence of falls at the population level ranges between 53% and 59%. Most falls occur inside of participants' homes (68%). About 30% of fallers reported an injurious fall. Most respondents, 87% expressed being concerned about falling and 68% reported they had cut down on activities due to their concerns about falling. Among participants who received information about falling (64%), only 9% received a formal fall prevention course. Despite advances in falls research over the last decades, falling continues to be a highly prevalent problem for people with multiple sclerosis. About one-third of those falls result in injuries. Concerns about falling among fallers and nonfallers affect the performance of daily activities and independence. Few people receive a formal falls prevention education or training.

Meta-Analysis-Based Comparison of Annual Fall Risk between Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Falls are a primary cause of injuries and hospitalization in older adults. It has been reported that cognitive impairments and dementia can increase fall risk in the older population; however, it remains unknown if fall risk differs among subgroups of dementia. This meta-analysis summarized previous studies reporting the annual fall risk of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and compared the fall risk between these two groups of people with dementia. Thirty-five studies enrolling 7844 older adults with AD or MCI were included. The annual fall prevalence and average number of falls of the included studies were meta-analyzed and compared by random-effects models with inverse variance weights. The annual fall prevalence in people with AD (43.55%) was significantly higher than MCI (35.26%, p < 0.001). A χ2 test indicated that the pooled fall prevalence is significantly higher in people with AD than MCI χ2 = 158.403, p < 0.001). Additionally, the yearly average number of falls in AD was higher than in MCI (1.30 vs 0.77 falls/person). The results showed that older people with AD experience a higher annual fall prevalence with a larger number of falls than older adults with MCI. The results suggested that the fall risk measurements should be reported separately between people with AD and MCI. The findings could provide preliminary guidance for the identification of individuals with dementia who experience a high fall risk.

Prevalence, Complications, and Risk Factors of Falls and Fear of Falling Among Older Adults; Based on Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA).

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of falls, fear of falling (FOF), complications arising from falls, and identify possible sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with these outcomes among older adults. This cross-sectional study was based on the first wave of the Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA), which includes participants over 50 years of age residing in Ardakan, Iran. Fall history, number of fall events, FOF, hospitalizations, and fractures in the past 12 months were assessed through a face-to-face interview. Health-related factors were recorded on a self-expressed basis. Associations were assessed using multiple logistic regression. Among the 4,990 participants, fall history in the past 12 months was prevalent in 19.9%, with 10.1% reporting more than two fall events. Women (p < 0.001) and older participants (p< 0.001) had a higher prevalence. In females, 28.8% reported moderate to severe FOF, while 21% experienced disruptions in their daily activities as a result of this fear. The prevalence of fractures following falls was 5.1% in males and 8.6% in females. After adjusting for confounding factors, FOF (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.33-1.91, p<0.001), imbalance (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.68-3.58, p<0.001), urinary incontinence (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.04-1.9, p=0.025), cognitive impairment (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.46, p=0.049), vertigo or dizziness (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.15-1.68, p<0.001), osteoporosis (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03-1.50, p=0.023), osteoarthritis (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.13-1.56, p=0.001), depression (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06-1.60, p=0.010), and Central Nervous System (CNS)-affecting diseases (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.33-2.97, p=0.001) were found to have positive associations with falls. This study showed that about one-fifth of those over 50 in Iran have experienced at least one fall within a year. Self-expressed imbalance, FOF, and urinary incontinence were the most prominent risk factors. Due to resulting in hospitalization and fractures, falls also lead to fear of falling and the associated limitation of activities.

PREVALENCE OF FALL AND SOME FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FALLS IN OLDER PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA

Background&#x0D; Falls are common in people with dementia. Examining the fall rate and the multiple factors is necessary to inform fall-risk screening, caregiver education and support, and prevention strategies for this high-risk population of older adults.&#x0D; Aim&#x0D; The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of fall and identify some factors associated with falls in older people with dementia&#x0D; Methods&#x0D; A cross-sectional study was conducted on outpatients with dementia aged ≥ 60 years old. Dementia was diagnosed by neuropsychiatrists following DSM-5 criteria..&#x0D; Results &#x0D; A total of 87 participants was recruited in the study (mean age: 76.84 8.38 years; female: 65.52%). 26 (29.89%) participants experienced a fall at least once in the previous year. 11 participants (12.65%) had two or more falls. Falls in older adults with dementia were associated with gender (female) and polypharmacy (p&lt;0.05)&#x0D; Conclusion &#x0D; The prevalence of falls among people with dementia was quite high, especially in female and participants with comorbidities. This highlights the need for effective fall preventions that target people with dementia.&#x0D;

Prevalence and risk factors for falls among community-dwelling adults in Riyadh area

Objectives This study aimed to assess fall prevalence, identify related risk factors, and establish cut-off scores for fall risk measures among community-dwelling adults in Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in community, Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. A sample of 276 Saudi citizens aged ≥40 years who were able to read and write in Arabic. Fall history and number of falls in the past 12 months were determined via self-reports. Variables assessed included demographic information, self-reported chronic diseases, depressive symptoms, and back pain severity. Results Participants were classified as either fallers (n = 28, 10.14%) or non-fallers. Fallers were more likely to have arthritis (odds ratio [OR]: 7.60, p = 0.001), back pain (OR: 5.22, p = 0.002), and higher depressive symptom scores (OR: 1.09, p = 0.013) than non-fallers. The number of reported falls was significantly associated with an elevated body mass index (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.09, p = 0.045), arthritis (IRR: 8.74, p &lt; 0.001), back pain (IRR: 4.08, p = 0.005), neurological diseases (IRR: 13.75, p &lt; 0.007), and depressive symptoms (IRR: 1.08, p = 0.005). Cut-off scores predictive of falls associated with back pain and depressive symptoms were 1.5 (sensitivity: 0.61; specificity: 0.79; area under the curve [AUC]: 0.70) and 11.5 score (sensitivity: 0.57; specificity: 0.76; AUC: 0.66), respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of falls was relatively low among the individuals considered in this study. Chronic conditions, back pain severity, and depressive symptoms were determined to be associated with falls among community-dwelling individuals in Saudi Arabia.

The Changing Incidence and Prevalence of Falls and Its Disability Burden Among the Geriatric Population in Saudi Arabia from 1990 to 2019: A Longitudinal Analysis Using Global Burden of Disease Study Data.

Falls represent a significant and growing public health issue among older adults worldwide. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the trends in the incidence, prevalence, and disability burden of falls among older adults in Saudi Arabia over 29 years, with a focus on gender disparities. Utilizing the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study data, this observational analysis tracked the epidemiology of falls from 1990 to 2019. The study employed ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes to identify falls, analyzing incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and years lived with disability (YLDs), stratified by gender and reported with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). The incidence and prevalence of falls increased for both genders from 1990 to 2019, with males showing a higher relative increase in prevalence rates (57% for males vs. 26% for females). The disability burden, indicated by DALYs, increased by 4% for males and decreased by 10% for females, whereas YLDs saw an increase of 38% for males and 8% for females. The analysis highlights a notable rise in both the frequency of falls and their associated disability, with gender-specific variations emphasizing greater impacts on males. The findings illustrate a significant increase in fall-related incidents and associated disabilities among older adults in Saudi Arabia, with distinct gender differences. These trends call for targeted public health interventions and further research into the underlying causes of falls, risk factors, and effective prevention strategies. Such measures are essential to mitigate the impact of falls, improve health outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for the aging population.

Analysis and prevention of falls among community-dwelling older adults in southern Thailand.

To analyse fall prevalence, risk factors and perceptions among Thai older adults to design a prevention model. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using secondary data from health screenings of older adults in 20 subdistrict hospitals in southern Thailand from January 2018 to September 2019 (n = 12,130). In-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with purposively sampled participants who were representatives of older adults and stakeholders (n = 50). The quantitative analysis showed that the prevalence of falls was 12.1%. The independent risk factors were female gender, employment status, cognitive impairment, semi-dependent functional ability, balance problems, vision impairment, hearing difficulties, use of medications, reliance on assistive devices and access to outdoor toilets. The qualitative analysis revealed misconceptions on falls and fall prevention measures among older adults and community stakeholders. In Thailand, healthcare providers and community nurses play a crucial role in providing primary advice and conducting interventions, yet they encounter obstacles due to lack of personnel, time constraints, limited resources, inadequate support and unclear policies. Stakeholders stress the urgency of improving practice guidelines, developing evidence-based strategies and aligning with government policies. Fall risk factors and prevention challenges among older adults were identified. Effective fall prevention programmes are needed. The identified fall events may guide public health agencies and local administrations in planning fall prevention programmes. For implementation in Thai communities, teamwork among leaders and stakeholders is key. IDIs and FGDs were conducted with older adults, village health volunteers, nurses, healthcare providers, local organization administrators and village headmen.

Fall Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among the Elderly Population in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study 2023.

Background Falls are common among older adults, and they constitute a major public healthissue with high morbidity and mortality. Aim This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of falls and investigate the contributing risk factors among the elderly population in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited a random representative sample of the elderly aged ≥ 60 years. We collected data by interviewing the participants using a structured, Arabic-language questionnaire. It included personal information, a history of falls in the past three and 12 months, comorbidities, and environmental factors. The main outcome was a history of falls in the preceding year. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between potential risk factors and falls. Results The study included 296 participants. Most participants were female (66.9%), aged 60-69 years (68.2%), and married (68.9%). The self-reported prevalence of falls over the preceding 12 months was 25.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 20.6-30.5). Older people with depressive symptoms had significantly increased vulnerability to falls (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.452, 95% CI: 0.239-0.854). Environmental factors were associated with a 1.799 times (95% CI: 1.041-3.109) increased likelihood of fall, and gait impairment was the strongest risk factor (AOR: 2.775, 95% CI: 1.558-4.942). Conclusions Falls are common among the elderly population in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia. Gait impairment, the presence of depressive symptoms, and environmental hazards were substantially associated with falls, suggesting that most falls are preventable.