Assessing prevalence of fallings and their relation with chronic conditions for older people living in Khoramabad, Iran

At present, A high percent of older adults (86%), have at least one chronic conditions and functional decline caused by them, could increase falling that leads to functional decline and psychosocial consequences. This study aimed determining prevalence of fallings in older adults and it's relation with chronic conditions in Khoramabad. The sample size of this cross-sectional study was four hundred people aged 60 or older, living in Khoramabad in 2007. Sampling was done by multi-stage clustering method. The structured questionnaire was applied for data collection contains demographic data, having chronic condition and falling in recent year and was completed by reporter. Data was analyzed using Spss 15.0 using descriptive statistics, Chi- square test and Mann- Whitney test. The prevalence of falling for older people living in Khoramabad was 24.8% In the other words, one of four older people experience fall during a year. The findings suggested the most common chronic diseases in Khoramabadian elders were arthritis, vision impairments (glasses) and hypertension respectively. Also, we found chronic conditions such as arthritis, stroke, vision impairments (glasses), disorientation, depression, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (urinary and fecal) incontinence increase the risk of falling. The findings of this study suggested the effects of chronic diseases increase risk of falling. At last, modifying environment according with physical and mental status, using suitable assisted devices, cognition of older people may be at risk, using hip protectors, family/patient education about strategies of preventing of falls and the ways of decreasing risk of falling are important. community based social services should be provided.