Falls at home: A community based study on awareness and prevention among adults

Background: Owing to their widespread occurrence, deleterious impacts and consequences, falls continue to be a major public health challenge. As per WHO report 2016, an estimated 424, 000 fatal falls occur each year. Objectives: To assess knowledge regarding risk factors and preventive practices for falls at home among rural households. Material & Method:A community based cross sectional study was carried out in the field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, of a University Medical College. Total 316 households were surveyed and datarelating should be data relating to socio-demographic features, knowledge pertaining to risk factors and practice regarding measures taken for prevention of falls at home were documented. Results: Awareness regarding predisposing factors that could lead to falls were alcohol (87%), smooth polished flooring (80.7%), poorly lit room (68.4%) and being elderly (81.3%). Majority 229 (72.5%) reported that falls on stairs could be prevented by railings for staircase while 199 (63%) reported adhering to medical advice as preventive measure. The prevalence of fall episodes in the last one year was (21) 6.6%. Conclusions: The awareness regarding predisposing factors and prevention of falls among the rural households was good. However, the knowledge had not translated into practice.