Abstract
Background
The aging population is associated with an increasing burden of falls worldwide. However, the epidemiological features of falls in Chongqing, China are not well understood.
Objective
To assess the prevalence and factors associated with falls in an elderly population aged 60 years or older in Chongqing municipality, China.
Design, setting, and subjects
This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2022 to December 2022. A random sample of individuals aged 60 years or older, representative of both urban and rural areas of Chongqing were enrolled, with a 100% participation rate.
Methods
The weighted prevalence of and risk factors associated with falls by age, sex, and urban vs rural residence were determined by electronic questionnaire.
Results
A total of 3 072 participants were included in this study (1 534 women [49.93%]; mean [SD] age, 53 [13] years) who had a free medical examination and completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of falls among those aged 60 years or older was 20.28%, 14.83% (95% CI, 13.06%-16.61%) among men and 25.94% (95% CI, 23.74%-28.13%) among women, 15.95% (95% CI, 14.12%-17.78%) in urban and 24.78% (95% CI, 22.62%-26.94%) in rural, and the 80-year-old age group had the highest fall rate (25.78%). According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, self-rated health status is poor (OR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.65–3.04), afraid of falling (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.43–2.20), even if not injured, one should not tell family or doctor after a fall (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.32–2.14), and female gender (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.32–1.95) were the top four risk factors.
Conclusions
and Relevance In this cross-sectional study of the elderly population in Chongqing municipality, China, the prevalence of falls was high in men and women. Fall prevention health education and behavior intervention should be focused on the elderly and women to reduce the prevalence and mitigate the harm of falls.