• Sebastiana Z Kalula, Monica Ferreira, George H Swingler, Motasim Badri, and Avan A Sayer.
• Division of Geriatric Medicine, The Albertina and Walter Sisulu Institute of Ageing in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
• Afr Health Sci. 2017 Sep 1; 17 (3): 912-922.

BackgroundFalls are a major cause of disability, morbidity and mortality in older persons, but have been under researched in developing countries.ObjectiveTo describe challenges encountered in a community-based study on falls in a multi-ethnic population aged ≥65 years in a low-income setting.MethodsThe study was conducted in four stages: A pilot study (n=105) to establish a sample size for the survey. An equipment validation study (n=118) to use for fall risk determination. A cross-sectional baseline (n=837) and a 12-month follow-up survey (n=632) to establish prevalence and risk factors for falls.ResultsPrevalence rate of 26.4% (95% CI 23.5-29.5%) and risk factors for recurrent falls: previous falls, self-reported poor mobility and dizziness were established. Adaptations to the gold standard prospective fall research study design were employed: 1) to gain access to the study population in three selected suburbs, 2) to perform assessments in a non-standardised setting, 3) to address subjects' poverty and low literacy levels, and high attrition of subjects and field workers.ConclusionStudies on falls in the older population of low- to middle-income countries have methodological challenges. Adaptive strategies used in the Cape Town study and the research experience reported may be instructive for investigators planning similar studies in such settings.

23 keywords...

hide…