Falls and Their Associated Factors: A National Survey of The Thai Elderly
SUTTHICHAI JITAPUNKUL, M.D., M.Sc.*, MONGKOL NA SONGKHLA, M.D., M.P.H.**, NAPAPORN CHAYOVAN, Ph.D.***, AROON CHIRAWATKUL, M.Sc.****, CHANPEN CHOPRAPA WON, M.D., M.P.H.*****', YONGYOUT KACHONDHAM, M.D., M.P.H.****** SUPAKORN BUASAI, M.D., Ph.D.******
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330. ** Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi I1000, *** Institute of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, **** Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ***** Thailand Health Research Institute, National Health Foundation, Nonthaburi I 1000, ****** Health System Research Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000. Thailand.
Abstract
Of the 7,713 subjects aged 50 and over in a multistage random sampling national survey
of Thailand, 4,480 Thai elders aged 60 and over were interviewed in a study which aimed to
determine rate, characteristics and the associated factors of falls in the last six months. Eight
hundred and thirty-six elders (18.7%) had one or more falls. Female elders (21.5o/r) fell more
often than their male counterparts (14.4% ). There was no association between age and falls
among Thai elder population. Most of the falls occurred outside ( 65%) and during the day time
(85% ).
Multiple regression analysis showed that independent factors associated with falls among
male elder were a bad or fairly bad health, reported hypertension, problems with walking in the
house, problems with crouching and a lack of electricity in the house. Independent factors asso-
ciated with falls among female elders were a bad or fairly bad health, joint problems, illness which
made her unable to have normal activities during the last year, problems with crouching.
going to buy food everyday, very lonely feeling, having less than 3 meals a day, a lack of elec-
tricity in the house and living in a Thai style house or hut. This study revealed that environ-
mental and intrinsic health factors which affected balance and gait were the main factors asso-
ciated with falls among Thai elders. Nutritional status as a contributing factor to falling among
elderly women was also suggested.
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