Self-reported fall and associated factors among adult people with visual impairment in Gondar, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Fall is a major public health problem and potentially disabling issue. A vast burden of visually impaired live in low-middle income countries particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Limited ability to detect environmental hazards puts visually impaired at a greater risk of falls and unintentional injuries. Falls among visually impaired is associated with considerable disability, health care cost, loss of independence, and socioeconomic consequences. Ethiopia lacked estimates of fall among any vulnerable population, particularly among visually impaired people. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of falls and factors associated among adult people with medically diagnosed visual impairment in Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among visually impaired adults who attended the ophthalmology clinic at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital during the study period. Data were collected by interview method using structured questionnaires, patient medical record reviews, and physical measurements. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression model analysis was used to identify factors associated with falls. Adjusted odds ratio with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed to show the strength of association. Results: A total of 328 adults medically diagnosed with visual impairment participated in the study (97.3% response rate). The age of the participants ranged from 25 to 89 years with a mean age of (56.46 ± 14.2 years). The overall cumulative prevalence of self-reported falls among adults with visual impairment was 26.8% with 95%CI (22.7, 32.4%). The major associated factors of fall identified by multivariate analysis were; visual impairment in both eye (

A Systematic Review of Wearable Devices for Orientation and Mobility of Adults With Visual Impairment and Blindness

“…Visually impaired people face several challenges to accomplish everyday tasks, especially when attempting to have safe and independent mobility. The ability to detect hazards is reduced with visual impairment, which can result in accidents, collisions, and falls, having a negative impact on their physical, psychological and social-economic development [1], [2], [3]. Visual impairment is often associated with mobility restrictions, leading to many health issues, including loss of independence, social isolation, reduced physical activity, and depression [4].…”

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“…Falls were the most common event with 54% of the participants with VI reporting at least one fall and 30% reported more fall and got fall-related injuries [9]. e prevalence of self-reported falls among people with visual impairment in Ethiopia was 26.8% [10].…”