Current status of falls and related injuries among Chinese elderly in 2013 / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the demographic characteristics of falls and fall-related injuries in Chinese elderly population.Methods In 2013,the 4th round Chronic Non-communicable Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance in China was conducted in 31 provinces.A stratified multi-stage cluster sampling was used to select the samples.A total number of 98 629 community-based adults aged 60 years and older received a set of standardized questionnaires with a face to face interview.The prevalence rates of falls and consequent injuries were compared between different genders,age groups,levels of education and areas of residency.Results The overall prevalence of falls among elderly in the previous 6 months was 8.0％(95％CI7.5％-8.5％).The prevalence was increasing with age and decreasing with the levels of education,and higher in females (9.1％) than in males (6.8％),with differences statistically significant (x2=74.1,P＜0.01).Prevalence rates were also seen higher in rural (8.6％),in widowed (11.0％) residents and in farmers or house workers than those in urban areas (7.2％),in non-widowed (7.0％),or having other jobs,with differences all statistically significant (x2 =7.7,P＜0.01,x2=128.0,P＜0.01).52.6％ of the elderly got injured when fell.The proportion of injury was greater in females (54.8％) than that in males (49.6％),with differences statistically significant (X2=10.2,P＜0.01).Proportion of most frequent types of injuries were hip fractures (7.3％),hand/arm fractures (12.5％),head injury (8.0％) and bruise (53.6％) respectively.The proportion of hip fractures was 12.4％ in elderly over 80 year of age,also was the highest.Conclusions Results from the present study showed that elderly suffered high prevalence of falls.Statistically significant differences were seen in residents with different groups as genders,age,education levels,marital status,urban/rural areas or jobs.Group-based comprehensive prevention and intervention on falls should be strengthened.