Prevalência de quedas e fatores associados na população idosa residente em zona rural

Abstract

Objective: to identify the prevalence of falls and their associated factors among elderly people living in rural areas. Methodology: cross-sectional study with elderly residents in the rural area of the city of Pelotas. This study is part of a project titled "Prevalence and factors associated with Fragility Syndrome in the elderly population". The sample consisted of 820 elderly people enrolled in the Basic Health Units with the Family Health Strategy modality, from July to October 2014. To evaluate the falls, a questionnaire was used with closed and semi-structured questions and the Epi Info programs 6.05 from STATA® 11.1 for analysis. The existence of an association between the reporting of falls in 12 months and their associated factors was verified by bivariate analysis (Chi-Square and Exact Fischer Test, as indicated), and multivariate analysis using Logistic Regression. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (466/12) under number 649.802. Results: the majority of the elderly who suffered falls were not attended by health professionals (69.8%), did not report physical trauma (52.1%) and did not have a fracture (86.4%). Half of the sample reported fear of falling again (50.0%). The predominance was female (56.1%), white skin color (90.2%) and age group 60-69 years (54.9%). The independent variables female gender (RP: 1.401, p value 0.016), had SA (RP: 1.184, p value 0.023) and had DM (RP: 1.576; p value 0.011) maintained association with the outcome in Logistic Regression. The prevalence of falls was 27.9%. Conclusion: about the results, it is incumbent upon health professionals to take a closer look at the elderly who present these chronic diseases, especially in the scope of FHT, which has a fuller access to the living conditions of each patient in their area and works longitudinally with them.