Home accidents in the community-dwelling elderly in Izmir, Turkey: how do prevalence and risk factors differ between high and low socioeconomic districts?
OBJECTIVE
To determine and compare the prevalence of and risk factors for home accidents in the elderly in two different districts.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study involves 497 older participants ages 65 and older. Sociodemographic characteristics of the elderly and characteristics of the houses in two different regions are evaluated. Data are analyzed by chi-square and t test.


RESULTS
The prevalence of home accidents was 39.3% in the low socioeconomic region and 13.1% in the high socioeconomic region within the past 6 months (p = .000). The most common type of home accident was fall (61.8%), followed by cut or piercing (22.0%). Home accidents are associated with being female and increasing age in the higher socioeconomic region, whereas being female, being unmarried, and living in a squatter house are associated with home accidents in the low socioeconomic region.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of home accidents in the elderly population who live in low socioeconomic region was higher.
Keskinoglu
Pembe
P
Izmir Provincial Health Directorate, Department of Emergency Services, Izmir, Turkey. pembe.keskinoglu@gmail.com
Picakciefe
Metin
M
Bilgic
Nurcan
N
Giray
Hatice
H
Karakus
Nuriye
N
Ucku
Reyhan
R
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology