| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2017 | Volume
: 61
| Issue : 2 | Page : 99-104 |
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A study of falls among elderly persons in a rural area of Haryana
Aniket Sirohi1, Ravneet Kaur2, Anil Kumar Goswami2, Kalaivani Mani3, Baridalyne Nongkynrih4, Sanjeev Kumar Gupta4
1 Junior Resident, Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
2 Assistant Professor, Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
3 Scientist II, Department of Biostatistics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
4 Professor, Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Correspondence Address:
Ravneet Kaur
Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi - 110 029
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.IJPH_102_16
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Background: Falls are a common, disabling, and frequently fatal health concern among elderly persons. Assessment of the prevalence of falls and associated factors can lead to the identification of corrective measures, which can help in preventing falls and their consequent effects on health and well-being of the elderly. Objectives: The objective is to determine the prevalence of falls among elderly persons in a rural area and to study the association of falls with sociodemographic variables and selected health conditions. Methods: In a community-based, cross-sectional study conducted among 456 elderly persons in a rural area, information regarding sociodemographic details, selected health conditions, and history of falls in the past 12 months was recorded. Univariate analysis followed by stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out. The effect of sociodemographic and various health conditions on falls was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the 456 study participants, the prevalence of falls in the past 12 months was 36.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] =32.1–40.0). The prevalence among women was 40.6% (95% CI = 34.5–46.7) and among men was 31.5% (95% CI = 25.0–37.9). Low socioeconomic status, urgency of micturition, knee pain, visual impairment, hearing impairment, functional disability, and depression were significantly associated with falls. Conclusions: Falls are common among elderly persons. Health programs for the elderly must include prevention of falls and rehabilitation of fall-related injuries.
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