Incidence rate and related factors of recurrent falls among the elderly in Chongqing Municipality
DING Xian-bin1, YANG Xian-xian1, GAO Yang1, XU Jie1, HUANG Zhi-lan2, LIU Yong-yan3
1. Institute of Chronic and Non-communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400042, China; 2. Nanan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400067, China; 3. Dadukou District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 400084, China
Abstract:Objective To understand the incidence rate and associated factors of recurrent falls in the past year among the elderly aged 65 years and above in Chongqing Municipality, and to provide suggestions for conducting interventions against the falls. Methods A questionnaire survey was performed among the elderly aged 65 years and above selected from 4 districts/counties by using a multistage stratified cluster random sampling method. The difference in the incidence rate of recurrent falls was compared by Chi-square test. The factors related to recurrent falls among the elderly were identified by multivariate logisticregression analysis. Results A total of 1,607 elderly persons were investigated, and their average age was (72.36±6.27) years old. 168 elderly persons had a history of fall in the past year. The incidence rate of fall was 10.45%. 36 elderly persons had a history of recurrent falls, and the incidence rate of recurrent falls was 2.24%. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that ethnic group (OR=2.464, 95%CI:1.197-5.071), whether or not to use crutches or walking aid (OR=0.344,95%CI:0.148-0.803), self-rated health status (OR=2.125, 95%CI:1.191-3.790), whether or not to suffer fromhyperosteogeny (OR=3.269, 95%CI:1.638-6.525) were associated with the incidence rate of recurrent falls. Conclusion The incidence rate of recurrent falls among the elderly in Chongqing Municipality was low. It is necessary to conduct targeted interventions on risk factors so as to reduce the harm due to recurrent falls.