An-Najah Staff

Publication Type

Original research

Authors

Objective.

Older men and women have higher risk of fall due to variou

factors. Among Palestinian older adults fall history yet to be studied in

terms of prevalence and correlates. The primary objective of this study

is to determine the prevalence of fall and the differences between fallers

and non-fallers among a group of Palestinian older living in rural areas

in Southern West Bank region of Hebron.

Methods

The study included 142 participants from two villages:

Se’ar

and

Bani Na’em

, Hebron governance. Demographic variables and fall

history was collected. Anthropometric measurement were used to as-

sess nutritional status; physical function was assessed. Geriatric scale

for depression and Montreal cognitive assessment test.

Results

. 51.7% of study participants were females, the mean age

69.5 ± 5.7 years old. Positive fall history was present among 11.7%

mostly females. Significant relationship was found between fall and

larger waist and hip circumference, cognitive impairment, higher lev-

el of dependency and slower performance in time up and go (TUG)

p < 0.05.

Conclusions

. Fall history has considerable prevalence among the

study sample and it is correlated with nutritional status, cognitive and

physical function.

Journal