Assessment of the Influence of Biological Risk Factors on Household Fall Occurrence Amongst Elderly in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

This study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey that assessed the relationship between biological risk factors and household fall occurrence amongst the elderly in Aba South LGA, Abia State. It employed simple random sampling technique and a structured self-administer questionnaire was used to obtain data from three hundred and ninety (390) elderly aged sixty-five (65) and above. The findings showed that out of 390(100%), about 108(27.69%) of the respondents were males while 282(72.31%) were females. Majority of the respondents 197(50.51%) were between 65–74 years old, 131(33.59%) were between 75–84 years old while 62(15.90%) were 85 years and above. Most of the respondents 211(54.10%) are widowed while 179(45.90%) are married and all of the respondents have experienced fall within the last six (6) months preceding the study. The criterion mean for this study was (2.5). Hence, weighted mean response equal to or above the criterion mean (2.5) indicates acceptance whereas weighted mean response below the criterion mean (2.5) denotes rejection. Specifically, the weighted mean response for biological risk factors like age, gender and disease conditions raised exceeded the criterion mean (i.e 4.00, 2.67, 4.00 > 2.5, respectively) In conclusion, the tested biological risk factors that proved to be significant for household falls occurrence amongst the elderly were age, gender, and disease conditions. Older adults should have adequate knowledge on fall risk factors as this will enable them to identify, abate and promote healthy behavior that aid fall prevention.