The prevalence of falls and its associated factors among elderly living in old folks home in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThe aging population is a phenomenon observed quite frequently during our time. The phenomenon appears to affect many high-and middle-income countries, including Malaysia and poses a real challenge to their society and healthcare systems, especially with the remarkably increased in the burden of diseases suffered by the aging population nowadays. Aside from chronic diseases, falls are also attributable to the challenges that need to be tackled and managed, brought about by the aging population. Falls have been shown to cause considerable morbidity and mortality and affect the quality of life of many elderly people. In Malaysia alone, the prevalence of falls was about 27.3% of the 516 participants.1 Meanwhile, in Brazil, the prevalence of falls was about 27.6% among the 6,616 elderly participated in the respected study.2 A somewhat lower prevalence of falls was observed in a study done in China, which showed the prevalence of falls was around 18% on average among the 1512 participants. As falls remain a predicament even to the well-advanced societies, a multitude of inquiries has been done quite ABSTRACT Background: Falls are common among the geriatric population, causing frequent morbidity and mortality. Identifying risk of falls among elderly living in old folks home can help in the care and prevention of falls in this population. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of falls among elderly living in old folks home and its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 50 elderly living in old folks home in Kuala Lumpur was selected by convenient sampling. History of falls revealed by participants, assisted questionnaires that consist of sociodemographic details and prevalence of falls within 6 months period were given. The association between the prevalence of falls and its associated factors were assessed by using chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of falls among the respondents was 30%, but there were no significant association between the socio demographic and prevalence of falls. There were also no associations between activity of daily living, number of comorbidities, number of medication with falls. Conclusions: Falls represent one of the public health problems among elderly living in old folks home in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with 30% prevalence of falls among the respondent. Our findings may assist public health authorities to implement programs of awareness and all prevention among elderly.

The Association of Falls with Instability: An Analysis of Perceptions and Expectations toward the Use of Fall Detection Devices Among Older Adults in Malaysia

“…The prevalence of falls in the last 6 months prior to the survey was 28.9% ( n = 336), consistent with a study done in institutional settings in Kuala Lumpur, with 30% ( n = 50) prevalence ( 43 ) and 27.3% ( n = 516) with history of falls in Melaka ( 44 ). In another study conducted in Brazil, with 400 participants aged 60 years or older, the prevalence of falls was 35.3% ( 45 ).…”

A focus group study to seek the opinions of Malaysian geriatricians, pharmacists, and nurses about education materials on fall-risk-increasing drugs

“…Previous studies reported that the prevalence of falls among OP was approximately 30% in England, Brazil, and Indonesia (Gale et al, 2018;Siqueira et al, 2011;Susilowati et al, 2020). In Malaysia, 24.3%-32.8% of OP residing in nursing homes (Ghazi et al, 2017;Hami et al, 2019;Kioh and Rashid, 2018) and 14.1%-19.7% community-dwelling OP had fallen (Alex et al, 2018;Hami et al, 2019;Ibrahim et al, 2017;Sahril et al, 2020). Fall-related injuries such as fractures, hematoma, and severe laceration are the main consequences of falls that can result in disability, activity limitation, and dependency (Berg and Cassells, 1992).…”

Prevalence of High Risk of Falls among Elderly in Old Age Homes of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

“…This study found out there is significant prevalence of risk of falls. 12 fall represents one of the public health problems among elderly living in old folk home in Malaysia with 30% prevalence among respondents. Our study is in concurrence with this research as it also depicts the high risk of falls in elderly.…”