Factors influencing hip protector use among community-dwelling older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a better understanding of the issues that influence hip protector use among community-dwelling older adults.


METHODS
The study used a longitudinal, crossover design. A convenience sample of 32 participants used four different brands of hip protectors, each for a 1-week period. Data were collected by weekly telephone interviews and a mailed questionnaire administered at baseline and follow-up. Participant perceptions regarding hip protectors were assessed using both open-ended questions and Likert-type items.


RESULTS
The most common concerns about hip protectors mentioned in response to open-ended questions involved: discomfort, poor fit, inconvenience and unfavourable effects on appearance. Participants spontaneously mentioned at least one of these barriers in over 70% of the interviews. In contrast, participants spontaneously mentioned the protective benefits offered by hip protectors in only 16% of the interviews. The intention to continue using a particular hip protector after the study ended was associated with the number of hours the hip protector was worn during the study (p<0.01). After controlling for other variables, beliefs concerning the amount of protection that a hip protector provided was positively associated with the number of hours the hip protector was worn during the study (p<0.05) and the intention to continue using the hip protector after the study (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Study findings suggest that the use of hip protectors by community-dwelling older adults is influenced by beliefs about both barriers to use and the amount of protection provided.
Blalock
Susan J
SJ
Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7360, USA. s_blalock@unc.edu
Demby
Karen B
KB
McCulloch
Karen L
KL
Stevens
Judy A
JA
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology