Elderly Risk of Fall Prevalence and Its Associated Factors in Rural Areas of Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu—A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study
Kumar M Buvnesh, Vijay V Rex, Kumar I Praveen, J Sagetha · 2025
Introduction: Falls are a leading cause of morbidity among the elderly, particularly in rural settings where healthcare access is limited. This study aims to assess the risk of fall prevalence and the factors associated with falls among community-dwelling elderly in rural areas of the Tiruvallur district. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 172 elderly participants residing in a rural field practice area of Tiruvallur district. The study subjects comprised elderly above 65 years. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire containing details on socio-demographic details, family details, personal habits, past medical history, and risk factors for falls, The Berg balance scale was used to assess the risk of elderly falls. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with fall risk, controlling for confounders. Results Based on the Berg Balance scale nearly half of the participants 84 participants (48.3%) were identified as having a low risk of falls. About 88 participants (51.7%) of elderly participants were identified as having a medium risk of falls and no participants were identified with a severe risk of falls. Factors significantly associated with fall risk included blurring vision (OR = 4.6), dizziness on standing (OR = 4.9), and use of assistive devices (OR = 13.9) with a p-value (p<0.01). Environmental hazards like slippery floors were present in 40.1% of households and contributed to increased fall risk (p<0.01). Conclusion: The study highlights a significant fall risk (51.7% in the medium risk category) among the rural elderly, with associated factors like vision impairments, dizziness, and environmental factors. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to prevent falls and promote safe living environments in rural settings.