Abstract
Background
In Egypt, few studies have explored the problem of falling and interventions to prevent falls in older adults.
Objective
To assess the effect of multifactorial, individualized interventions for prevention of falls among elderly persons.
Methods
A quasi-experimental intervention study design with pre-post assessment was used. A sample of 100 community-dwelling persons aged 60 years or older was selected from the Fanara Family Medicine Center regestries. An evidence-based, coordinated fall prevention program was implemented. The primary outcome measure was rate of falls assessed at baseline and 12 months. The secondary outcomes were changes in home hazards, functional status, muscle strength, balance and adherence to Otago exercises.
Results
There was a statistically significant difference in rate of falls (P = 0.049) and recurrent falls (P = 0.011) among participants from baseline to 12 months post-intervention. There were statistically significant improvements from baseline to post-intervention in dynamic balance (P = 0.02), muscle strength (P < 0.001), adherence to Otago exercises (P < 0.001) and the total score of home hazards (P = 0.029).
Conclusion
The multifactorial fall prevention program was effective in reducing the rate of falls and most home hazards and improving functional performance and balance abilities in community-dwelling older adults after 1-year follow-up.
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Acknowledgements
The research team would like to acknowledge the cooperation of the cardiology, ophthalmology, physiotherapy and radiology teams at Suez Canal University Hospital as well as the participants.
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Ethical considerations
The study protocol was approved by Suez Canal University Research Ethics Committee with reference no. 802. All procedures were in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The aim of the research was explained to the participants and their informed consents obtained.
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Mohammed, R.A., Nour-Eldein, H., El.Din Abdel-Halim, A.W. et al. Effect of a fall prevention program for elderly persons attending a rural family medicine center, Egypt. J Public Health (Berl.) 27, 301–308 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-018-0959-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-018-0959-8