Ghous, Assillah Fatin Mohamad
(2013)
The risk factors of fall among community -
dwelling elderly in Air Itam, Penang.
Other.
Universiti Sains Malaysia.
(Submitted)
Abstract
Fall is defined as unintentionally coming to the ground or some lower level
than that or from slipping, tripping or stumbling as a consequence of sustaining a violent
blow, loss of conscious or sudden onset of paralysis as in stroke or epileptic seizure. Fall
among elderly often related to accidents associated with the interaction between identifiable
environmental hazards and increased individual susceptibility to hazards from accumulated
effects of age and diseases. To identify the risk factors of fall among community-dwelling elderly in Air
Itam, Penang. A cross-sectional survey using a set of self-administered questionnaire from the
combination of Fall Risk Assessment Tool and Barthel’s Index Score on the risk factors. A
total of 200 respondents were involved in this study. Data was analyzed using SPSS version
20.0 and Chi-Square test was used to analyze descriptive data. A total of 31% (n=62) reported to have experience fall. For cognitive status risk
factor it was found that 79% of fallers have impaired cognitive status while 70% of fallers
are psychologically impaired. P value less than 0.05 for the following items which reflect
physical capability are the ability to shower, toileting, dressing, transfer, mobility and
ability to climb stairs. There is also significant difference between incontinence and fall
which reported 69.6% of fallers are within bowel incontinence whereas 63.3% of fallers are
within urinary incontinence. Nutritional status, poor orientation to environment and poor
eye sights and the risk of fall showed significant difference as the p < 0.001. Higher
percentage of fall was among women than men and risk for fall increases with age.
Evidently, with the percentage of 67.7% of fallers are women and 46.6% in the age group
of 70-74 years old. The predisposed risk factors identified are age, gender poor physical
performance, poor psychological status, poor cognitive function, deficit nutrition, impaired
vision, bowel and urinary incontinence. Situational risk factors identified are locations such
as toilet, kitchen and being outdoor increase the risk for fall.
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