Risk factors associated with a history of falls among older people in Palestine

Objective: Falling is one of the most important risks that worry the elderly, which may lead to fractures and other complications that may take their lives. A relationship was found between falls and several factors and variables that contribute to their occurrence, including age, gender, medical history, psychological state, and others. The study was conducted on elderly people aged 60 and above who are the most vulnerable group to falls. The study is to test whether there is a relationship between the factors that have been raised, which factors are related to the fall, and which are not, and what is the nature of the association. Methods 200 random samples were taken from the elderly to fill out a questionnaire and correlate it with the risk of falling, taken inside International Physical Activity (IPAQ), Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) & Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), Medical history, Habits and lifestyle, Geriatric depression scale. Then the statistical program SPSS was used to analyze the results of the questionnaires. Result A total of 200 participants were included in the study. The mean age was 69.04 (SD7.64) years, range58-96. The p-value is (p > 0.05) so the falling risk in the elderly was significantly associated with gender, age, educational level, work status, medical history, physical activity, malnutrition, independence, instrumental activities of daily living, and depression. Conclusion This study indicates that there is a large proportion of risks and symptoms that contribute to the occurrence of the elderly Palestinians, the most important of which are depression (psychological status), nutritional status, age, and medical history in addition to daily activities.