Fall at Home and its Related Factors among the Elderly in Babol City; Iran

More than one third of elderly people experience fall annually and 20 to 30 percent of it caused moderate to severe injury. Fall related injuries are the leading cause of injury death and disabilities among older adults and its health care cost is high. So the aim of this study was to survey the fall frequency at home and its related factors among the elderly in Babol city، Iran. This cross sectional study was performed on 350 elderly residents in Babol city from December 2009 to May 2010. By Strata sampling (according to socio economic status) the elderly people were entered in the study according to their population in each strata by randomization. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire including demographic characteristics، fall-related characteristics and program for fall prevention at home (good، moderate and weak). The fall incidence rate at home was 35. 1%. In 62. 2% of homes، program for fall prevention was good and in 37. 8% was moderate or inadequate. There was a significant correlation between program for fall prevention and fall incidence (p=0. 000). Most falls occurred on the stairs (24. 9%). In this study، there was a significant correlation between fall incidence and age over 75 (OR=2. 51، CI95%: 1. 26±5. 06)، history of disease (OR=4. 55، CI95%: 2. 14- 9. 71)، balance disorders (OR=2. 37، CI95%: 1. 12-5) and consumption of hypnotic drugs (OR= 6. 48، CI95%: 3. 48-12. 06). Considering the elderly population is growing in our country، so that good planning is needed to prevent and decrease the fall incidence at home.