Abstract
Objective: To estimate the fall risk prevalence and associated factors. Method: Cross-sectional study with 339 community-dwelling old people in Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil. The fall risk was assessed by the Timed Up and Go Test categorized as low (<10 seconds), moderate (11-20 seconds), and high (>20 seconds). The symptoms of anxiety and depression, fear of falling, functional capacity for instrumental activities of daily living and handgrip strength were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire, Falls Efficacy Scale - International - Brazil, Lawton and Brody scale and JAMAR hand dynamometer, respectively. A theoretical model of determination with three hierarchical blocks was built. The variables with those with a p≤0.05 remaining in the final model. Results: The prevalence of low, moderate, and high fall risk was 36%, 43.7%, and 20.3%, respectively. The variables associated with a moderate fall risk were female gender, age between 71-80 years, and over 80 years. Over 80 years of age were associated with high risk, negative self-perception of general health, need for help to walk through an auxiliary device, and human assistance and fear of falling. Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of moderate and high fall risk. Except for advanced age, the factors associated with moderate and high risk were different. These results can be considered in the approach of the old people at risk to enable the choice of the most appropriate intervention and it calls us to think about strategies and public policies that guarantee the prevention of falls and healthy aging.
Keywords
Health of the elderly; Accidental Falls; Risk factors; Prevalence; Cross-sectional studies
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