title: Epidemiology of falls among older adults: A cross sectional study from Chandigarh, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fall is an important cause of injury morbidity in older adults. However, epidemiological information on fall is limited in low- and middle-income countries. We investigated the extent, pattern, characteristics, and context of falls in Chandigarh.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional survey was carried out among 300 persons (≥60 years), sampled from urban, rural and slums areas of Chandigarh, India from March 2011 to October 2012 using multistage cluster sampling. A pre-tested interview schedule was used and relevant medical examinations were conducted. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out to estimate Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the past one year, 31% (92/300) respondents reported one or more falls. On an average 0.67 fall episodes occurred/person/year (202/300). Most (68%; 63/92) falls occurred at home; 75% (47/63) occurred while carrying out activities such as toileting, bathing, sleeping and eating etc. Injuries due to falls were reported by 67% (62/92). In these cases, lower extremities, 37% (23/62) were the most common site of injury. Eight percent (5/62) reported fractures. A general physician was consulted by 44% (27/62), and 11% (7/62) utilized emergency services whilst another 11% (7/62) of fall injuries required hospital admission. Risk of fall was higher among females (OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.0-2.8, p 0.068), those taking four or more medicines (OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.2-3.5, p 0.009) and having poor body balance (OR 1.9, 95%CI 1.0-3.4, p 0.037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fall injuries were common in older adults of Chandigarh. Large cohort studies are needed to identify risk factors particularly those related to home environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Nalini K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Tripathy
authors.affiliation: George Institute for Global Health, University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Jagnoor
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jagnoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Binod K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Patro
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Mandeep S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dhillon
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India. Electronic address: dr.rajeshkumar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Elderly; Fall; Geriatric; Incidence; Injury; Prevalence; Risk factor