title: [Accidental injuries in older adults: a challenge for the health systems].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify factors (sociodemographic, health, and social support) associated with the presence of accidental injuries in older adults living in deprived urban neighborhoods in four Mexican municipalities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey carried out in 2004-2005, with a non-probabilistic, intentional sample of 799 male and female elderly living in deprived urban areas in four Mexican municipalities. For the statistical analysis, non-parametric tests and multivariate logistic regression models were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than a third (37%) of the sample reported injuries; with falls being the main cause. Home was the venue where most accidents took place (52%). Risk factors for accidental injuries were: advanced age, working, greater number of illnesses, consumption of more medicines and remedies, self-perception of "poor" health , consumption of alcoholic beverages, inadequate family support and being a caretaker of others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The multi-causality of accidental injuries in older adults demands the participation of all sectors of society, and particularly public health interventions.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
authors.forename: María Guadalupe
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ruelas González
authors.forename: V Nelly
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Salgado de Snyder
mesh_terms: D000056:Accident Prevention; D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control