Individual and Environmental Factors Associated with Recurrent Falls in Elderly Patients Hospitalized after Falls

Hai Minh Vu, Long Hoang Nguyen, Huong Lan Thi Nguyen, Giang Thu Vu, Cuong Tat Nguyen, Trong Nang Hoang, Tung Hoang Tran, Kiet Tuan Huy Pham, Carl A. Latkin, Bach Xuan Tran, Cyrus S.H. Ho and Roger C.M. Ho
Additional contact information
Hai Minh Vu: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic, Thai Binh Medical University Hospital, Thai Binh 410000, Vietnam
Long Hoang Nguyen: Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
Huong Lan Thi Nguyen: Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
Giang Thu Vu: Center of Excellence in Evidence-based Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
Cuong Tat Nguyen: Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
Trong Nang Hoang: Department of Ophthalmology, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh 410000, Vietnam
Tung Hoang Tran: Institute of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Vietnam—Germany Hospital, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Kiet Tuan Huy Pham: Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Carl A. Latkin: Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Bach Xuan Tran: Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Cyrus S.H. Ho: Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore
Roger C.M. Ho: Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-10

Abstract: Falls and recurrent falls cause great health and social consequences in older people. However, these problems are poorly understood in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was performed at seven hospitals in Thai Binh province, Vietnam, to investigate the individual and environmental factors associated with recurrent falls among elderly patients hospitalized due to fall injuries in Vietnam. A history of recurrent falls within the last 12 months, sociodemographic, health, and clinical characteristics, as well as environmental conditions, were obtained via self-reported interviews. Multivariate logistic and Poisson regression models were used to identify associated factors. Overall, the mean fall episodes in the last 12 months were 1.8 (Standard deviation—SD = 1.2) episodes, and the 12-month prevalence of recurrent falls was 40.5%. The individual risk factors included not receiving fall prevention guidelines, walking with devices, loss of sensation in hand or foot, and using pain relief medications. The environmental risk factors comprised having too-high stairs and not having dry, clean, and nonslippery bathrooms. This study highlights a significantly high 12-month prevalence of recurrent falls in older patients hospitalized after falls in Vietnam. Moreover, regular assessments of functional disabilities and hazardous environmental conditions, as well as the provision of prevention programs, have potential to prevent falls and recurrent falls.

Keywords: fall; recurrent fall; older people; environmental factor; Vietnam (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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