Longitudinal Trends in Fall Accidents in Community Dwelling Korean Adults: The 2008-2013 Korean Community Health Survey.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the longitudinal characteristics of unintentional fall accidents using a representative population-based sample of Korean adults.


METHODS
We examined data from the Korean Community Health Survey from 2008 to 2013. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify the characteristics of fall accidents in adults.


RESULTS
Between 2008 and 2013, the incidence rate of fall accidents requiring medical treatment increased from 1,248 to 3,423 per 100,000 people (p<0.001), while the proportion of indoor fall accidents decreased from 38.12% to 23.16% (p<0.001). Females had more annual fall accidents than males (p<0.001). The major reason for fall accidents was slippery floors (33.7% in 2011 and 36.3% in 2013). Between 2008 and 2010, variables associated with higher fall accident risk included specific months (August and September), old age, female gender, current drinker, current smoker, diabetes, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and depression. A high level of education and living with a partner were negatively associated with fall accident risk. In 2013, people experiencing more than 1 fall accident felt more fear of falling than those having no fall accidents (odds ratio [OR] for 1 fall, 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.04-2.12; OR for more than 2 falls, 2.97; 95% CI, 2.83-3.10).


CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of fall accidents has consistently increased in Korea from 2008 to 2013. Future intervention studies are needed to reduce the increasing incidence rates of fall accidents in community dwelling adults.
Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Ickpyo
0000-0001-5404-7646
I
Hong
Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Annie N
0000-0002-7216-1036
AN
Simpson
Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Sarah
S
Logan
Department of Occupational Therapy, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea.
Hee-Soon
0000-0003-4712-9808
HS
Woo
Accidental falls; Adult; Fear; Korean; Life style