Compliance of external hip protector use amongst elderly day hospital attenders.
BACKGROUND
When worn external Hip Protectors (EHP) reduce hip fracture but poor compliance results in reduced efficacy.


OBJECTIVE
We determined the compliance with EHP therapy among a group of elderly people attending a day hospital.


METHODS
Forty-five patients or their care-givers were interviewed a mean (sd) 334 (150) days after they had been given EHP.


RESULTS
There were 12 men and 33 women with mean age of 80 (7) years. Only ten (22%) were still wearing EHP properly. Those who were compliant were given their EHP more recently than those who were not (277 (118) days vs 403 (159), p = 0.0062) and were more likely to feel safer when wearing them (p = 00.017, chi2= 5.68). Reasons for non-compliance included exclusive outdoor wear, discomfort and inconvenience.


CONCLUSIONS
Hip protector compliance was poor in this small study of elderly individuals attending a day hospital. Better patient education may improve compliance though this needs to be determined.
Fan
C W
CW
St James's Hospital, Dublin. cfan@stjames.ie
Tan
K M
KM
Coakley
D
D
Walsh
J B
JB
Cunningham
C
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors