title: Treatment for menopausal symptoms and having health insurance were associated with a lower prevalence of falls among Brazilian women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Brazil has an aging population. This study aims to raise awareness of the prevalence and factors associated with falls among Brazilian women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study with 622 women over 50 years of age was conducted between 05/10/11 and 10/31/11 in the city of Campinas/São Paulo/Brazil in the form of a population survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  The dependent variable was the occurrence of falls in the past 12 months. The independent variables were sociodemographic data, health-related habits and problems, self-perception of health and evaluation of functional capacity. Statistical analysis was carried out by Chi-square test and Poisson regression using the backward selection criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the women was 64.1 years. The prevalence of falls in the past 12 months was 24.6%. Having trouble keeping balance when walking: PR 1.87 (95% CI 1.33-2.63, P<0.001); alcohol consumption: PR 1.69 (95% CI 1.25-2.28, P<0.002); having been admitted to a hospital in the last 12 months: PR 1.46 (95% CI 1.09-1.96, P=0.012); and having cataract: PR 1.40 (95% CI 1.05-1.87, P=0.021) were associated with a higher prevalence of falls. Having health insurance: PR 0.67 (95% CI 0.50-0.89, P=0.007) and using some form of medication to treat menopausal symptoms: PR 0.42 (95% CI 0.19-0.92, P=0.031) were associated with a lower prevalence of falls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Having health insurance and using some form of medication to treat menopausal symptoms were associated with a lower prevalence of falls among Brazilian women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. luiz.baccaro@gmail.com
authors.forename: Luiz Francisco
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Baccaro
authors.forename: Vanessa de Souza Santos
authors.initials: Vde S
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Lúcia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Costa-Paiva
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Maria José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Osis
authors.forename: Aarão Mendes
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pinto-Neto
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D004856:Postural Balance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016138:Walking
keywords: Accidental falls; Health; Hot flashes; Insurance; Menopause; Risk factors