Factots Associated with to the Risk of Falls Among the Elderly in Nong Bua Yai Subdistrict Chatturat District, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with fall risk among community-dwelling elderly in Nong Bua Yai Subdistrict, Chatturat District, Chaiyaphum Province. A sample of 272 elderly individuals was selected, and a questionnaire with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.75 was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and stepwise multiple regression analysis were employed to analyze the data.

Results showed that the mean age of the elderly was 68.87 years, with 23.5% having a history of falls within the past year. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that a history of falls within the past year (x1), external environmental factors (x2), gait problems (x3), visual impairment (x4), marital status (x5), and occupation (x6) were significantly associated with fall risk. The predictive equation for fall risk was Y = 0.826 - 0.485x1 + 0.246x2 + 0.272x3 + 0.215x4 + 0.089x5 - 0.042x6, explaining 43.6% of the variance (Adjusted R2 = 0.436, p-value < 0.001).

The findings highlight the multiple factors contributing to fall risk among the elderly, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to prevent falls in this population