PREVALENCE OF FALLS AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG AGED POPULATION: COMMUNITY BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FROM TURKEY.

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors of falls among persons aged 65 years and older in Qanakkale, Turkey.

Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted between May-September 2013. A total of 1,001 elderly living in Çanakkale city centre were included into our study. The research was carried out with face-to-face interviews and survey forms. The survey form consists of seven sections: demographic characteristics, significance of ageing, daily activities, quality of life and social network in old age, use of health services and health problems, bad habits, and the European Health Impact Scale. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 19.0. For data investigation the chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used.

Results: The prevalence of falls at home or outside was 32.1% among elderly in the last six months period. The prevalence of falling for women at home as well as outside was statistically significantly higher than for men (p < 0.05). According to multivariate analysis results the risk of falling at home or outside was increased by 2.7 times in women (95% CI: 1.90-3.75), by. 2.1 times in those who cannot take care of themselves (95% Cl: 1.33-3.29), and by 1.7 times in those who have low quality of life (95% Cl: 1.24-2.43).

Conclusions: This community based cross-sectional study showed that prevalence of falling was high in aged persons living in centre of Çanakkale located in the western part of Turkey. Moreover, the risk was increased in women, those who cannot take care for themselves, and those with low standard of living.