Abstract:
The cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate fall prevention behaviors among elderly people and study the association between factors and fall prevention behaviors in the elderly in Khao Chaison district, Phatthalung province. The sample group of 247 people at aged 60 years and older who lived in Khao Chaison district, Phatthalung Province were chosen by using multi-stage sampling. The questionnaires were used as research tools and data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and Multiple Logistic Regression. The study indicated that most of the elderly had regular conduct, including well organizing of items on the corridor (83.4%), keeping the floor dry to prevent slipperiness or notifying others to do so (72.5%) and taking shower in walk-in shower or with small and lightweight water dipper (71.3%). The overall picture of fall prevention behaviors was at a moderate level (57.1%). The factors related to fall prevention behaviors among the elderly with statistical significance (p-value < 0.05), were vision impairment (OR; 3.253, 95% CI ; 1.083-9.773, p-value = 0.036), perceived susceptibility of falling (OR; 4.427, 95% CI ; 1.433-13.674, p-value = 0.010), living patterns (OR; 6.018, 95% CI; 1.042-34.762, p-value = 0.045), perceived benefits of fall prevention (OR; 13.581, 95% CI ; 2.567-71.862, p-value = 0.002), alcohol consumption (OR; 16.095, 95% CI ; 2.082-124.410, p-value = 0.008), and social support (OR; 19.699, 95% CI ; 5.914-65.613, p-value <0.001). It is recommended that the government and relevant agencies should provide information regarding fall prevention behaviors among elderly people, arrange vision screening and home visit, provide instruction on safe home environment both inside and outside by encouraging the installation of grab bars and/or safety rails in the shower and near the toilet, separating shower area from toilet area, and improving conditions within the house and pathways to promote the fall prevention behaviors among the elderly.