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Table 2 Factors preceding the most serious fall

From: Falls in young, middle-aged and older community dwelling adults: perceived cause, environmental factors and injury

 

Total Cohort

Men

Women

 

Young

(N = 54)

Middle

(N = 131)

Old

(N = 205)

Young

(N = 23)

Middle

(N = 41)

Old

(N = 106)

Young

(N = 31)

Middle

(N = 90)

Old

(N = 99)

ACTIVITIES PERFORMING PRIOR TO THE FALL*

Ambulation

31.5(17)

45(58)

56.5(113)

13(3)

42.5(17)

58.3(60)

45.2(14)

46.1(41)

54.6(53)

Transferring

9.3(5)

10.9(14)

9(18)

8.7(2)

17.5(7)

8.7(9)

9.7(3)

7.9(7)

9.3(9)

Running

20.4(11)

6.2(8)

5.5(11)

21.7(5)

5(2)

4.9(5)

19.4(6)

6.7(6)

6.2(6)

Sports/exercise/dancing/ bicycling

22.2(12)

13.2(17)

6.5(13)

39.1(9)

10(4)

10.7(11)

9.7(3)

14.6(13)

2.1(2)

Stairs/curb

7.4(4)

11.6(15)

9(18)

13(3)

12.5(5)

7.8(8)

3.2(1)

11.2(10)

10.3(10)

Other1

9.3(5)

13.2(17)

13.5(27)

4.3(1)

12.5(5)

9.7(10)

12.9(4)

13.5(12)

17.5(17)

PERCEIVED CAUSE OF THE FALL **

Accident/Environment

37(20)

30.2(38)

15.8(32)

39.1(9)

32.5(13)

16.2(17)

35.5(11)

29.1(25)

15.5(15)

Collapse Episode

5.6(3)

6.3(8)

3.5(7)

13(3)

10(4)

4.8(5)

 

4.7(4)

2.1(2)

Dizziness/Vertigo/Weakness

5.6(3)

1.6(2)

2.5(5)

  

1(1)

9.7(3)

2.3(2)

4.1(4)

Balance/Gait Impairment

38.9(21)

49.2(62)

61.9(125)

39.1(9)

47.5(19)

62.9(66)

38.7(12)

50(43)

60.8(59)

Other/Uncertain2

13(7)

12.7(16)

16.3(33)

8.7(2)

10(4)

15.2(16)

16.1(5)

14(12)

17.5(17)

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS LEADING TO THE FALL***

Wet surface/slippery footwear

9.3(4)

17(16)

9.5(14)

11.1(2)

13.8(4)

7.6(6)

8(2)

18.5(12)

11.6(8)

Uneven surface/steps

20.9(9)

25.5(24)

27(40)

16.7(3)

24.1(7)

32.9(26)

24(6)

26.2(17)

20.3(14)

Objects on surface/rug

9.3(4)

7.4(7)

16.2(24)

5.6(1)

6.9(2)

15.2(12)

12(3)

7.7(5)

17.4(12)

External forces

7(3)

4.3(4)

2(3)

5.6(1)

6.9(2)

2.5(2)

8(2)

3.1(2)

1.4(1)

Icy surface

20.9(9)

12.8(12)

14.2(21)

22.2(4)

24.1(7)

13.9(11)

20(5)

7.7(5)

14.5(10)

Other3

32.6(14)

33(31)

31.1(46)

38.9(7)

24.1(7)

27.8(22)

28(7)

36.9(24)

34.8(24)

  1. Values are percentages (frequency)
  2. *Activities Performing Prior to The Fall (Total Cohort: χ2 = 31.01; p < 0.001; Men:χ2 = 31.51; p < 0.001; Women: χ2 = 17.44; p > 0.05).
  3. **Perceived Cause (Total Cohort:χ2 = 29.03; p < .001; Men: χ2 = 15.61; p < 0.05; Women: χ2 = 15.54; p < 0.05).
  4. ***Environmental Factors (Total Cohort:χ2 = 11.52; p > 0.05; Men: χ2 = 8.04; p > 0.05; Women: χ2 = 10.34; p > 0.05).
  5. 1Other represents responses of "reaching overhead", "bending down", "uncertain", or "other"
  6. 2Other/Uncertain represents responses of "other" or "uncertain" as to the cause of the fall.
  7. 3Other represents responses of "new eyeglasses" and/or "darkness/dimness of environment" and/or "glare from lights"
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BMC Public Health

ISSN: 1471-2458

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