Fall Prevalence and Factors Affecting Falls in Elderly.

Falling in the elderly is a common problem that can have devastating consequences for individuals and affect social support networks. Falls are considered to be the most common cause of injury in the elderly population. In developed countries, it is reported that one out of every three elderly people in the society has fallen during the year and that number has increased gradually after the age of 65. There are many risk factors that cause falls in the elderly. These factors may be caused by the elderly itself (intrinsic) or the environment (extrinsic).

The aim of this study are two folds:

1. To determine the prevalence of falls in the last year among the elderly living in Degirmenlik region of Nicosia, Northern Cyprus,
2. To determine predictors of the risk of falls in the elderly.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Falling

Detailed Description

Falling in the elderly is a common problem that can have devastating consequences for individuals and affect social support networks. Falls are considered to be the most common cause of injury in the elderly population. In developed countries, it is reported that one out of every three elderly people in the society has fallen during the year and that number has increased gradually after the age of 65. As a result of the falls, significant burdens on health services are imposed. In this context, determining the risk factors that cause falls is as important as public health as well as preventive physiotherapy services.There are many risk factors that cause falls in the elderly. These factors may be caused by the elderly itself (intrinsic) or the environment (extrinsic). Most of falls are caused by interactions between multiple risk factors. However, in individuals aged 75 years and over, even 10% of those without risk factors have been reported to fall at any time during the year.However, all these factors may vary from country to country depending on the cultural differences and living conditions of the elderly.

Therefore, it is important to investigate the risk factors that cause falls in each population to prevent falls.

The aim of this study are two folds:

1. to determine the prevalence of falls in the last year among the elderly living in Degirmenlik region of Nicosia, Northern Cyprus,
2. To determine predictors of the risk of falls in the elderly.

The population of the cross-sectional study consists of 1486 people aged 65 years and over living in 16 villages of Degirmenlik Municipality of Nicosia, Northern Cyprus.

The following formulas were used to determine the sample size.

n= z² x p(1-p) ̸ Є²

n'= n ̸ 1+ (z² x p (1-p) ̸ Є² N

(z = z score; ɛ = %95 margin of error in confidence interval; N= universe size ve p = prevalence) First sample size z = 1,96; with assumptions ɛ = 0,05 and p = 0.50 it was calculated as 384 people. The final sample size was calculated as 499 people, with a non-response rate of 30%. In this context, 499 elderly individuals selected by simple random sampling method will form the sample of the study.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 499

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Northern Cyprus
    • Mersin, Northern Cyprus, Turkey, 99628
      • Recruiting
      • 1. Eastern Mediterranean University Health Sciences Faculty, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation,
      • Contact: Emine H Tüzün, Prof. Dr.; Phone Number: 1370 +90 392 6301370; Email: handan.tuzun@gmail.com
      • Contact: Levent Eker, Assist.Prof.; Phone Number: 1426 +90 392 6301426; Email: ekerlevent955@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 65 years and older (Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

The population of the study consists of 1486 people aged 65 years and over living in 16 villages of Degirmenlik Municipality.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 65 years of age or older,
• Residing in one of the villages of Degirmenlik Municipality
• To be able to walk independently or with walking aid.

Exclusion Criteria:

• People who cannot cooperate
• People with acute illnesses

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Ecologic or Community
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
prevalence	fall prevalence	last one year period

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Eastern Mediterranean University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Hatice Hacıküçük, BSc., PT., Eastern Mediterranean University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 1, 2019
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): May 30, 2020
• Study Completion (Anticipated): June 30, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 12, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 12, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): January 18, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 18, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 15, 2020
• Last Verified: January 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: ETK00-2019-0175

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No