Prevalence and associated factors of fall risk in Thai older people:  a primary care based study in Chiang Rai

Supaporn Trongsakul; Oranich Vimolratana

Authors

Supaporn Trongsakul Public Health Department, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
Oranich Vimolratana Physical Therapy Department, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand

Keywords:

associated factors, care, Chiang Rai, community, fall risk, older people, prevalence

Abstract

Falls are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older persons, and the consequences of fall may impact an individual severely. Although prevalence rates for falls in older population have been established in Thailand, most of them were carried out in hospital. Chiang Rai is one of the provinces with highest older population in the northern part of Thailand, particularly in rural areas. However, no prevalence study of falls has been available, especially in primary care center. Hence, this study estimated 12-month prevalence rate of fall risk, and identified risk factors of fall risk in older population at Pa-Teung sub-district, Mae-Chan district, Chiang Rai. A cross sectional study was carried out in 11 villages and total 340 persons aged ≥ 60 years were systematic randomly selected. Fall risk was assessed by using Time up and Go (TUG). This study showed that the average age of participants was 69+6 years. The 12- month prevalence of fall risk was 12.6% (95% CI 9.5-16.6). Binary logistic regression revealed that potential factor of fall risk was age group 70-79 years old (OR = 4.39, 95% CI 2.14, 9.02, P=0.001). This study highlights that there are a number of older people with fall risk at primary care centers in rural areas of Chiang Rai. In particular, aged group between 70 and 79 years old should be concerned as a priority group of fall risk.

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