외래방문 노인의 낙상경험 유무에 따른 낙상에 대한 두려움, 효능감 및 예방행위

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to determine the association between fear of falling, falls efficacy, and fall prevention behaviors in older adults in outpatient and identify the factors affecting fall prevention behaviors.

Methods: This was a descriptive study. A total of 137 older adults aged 60 or older with more than one disease in an outpatients setting were recruited from a university hospital in Seoul. Data were collected from March 11 through April 8, 2016.

Results: The experience of a fall was significantly associated with age (t=-2.71, p=.008), gender (χ²=14.32, p<.001), education (χ²=6.05, p=.049), income (χ²=9.93, p=.019), physical activity status (χ²=16.84, p<.001), and the number of diseases (t=-2.89, p=.004). Fall experience was not significantly associated with marital status (χ²=3.79, p=.285). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the most influential factor of fall prevention behaviors was the fear of falls (β=-.37, p<.001), followed by the number of diseases (β=-.20, p=.013).

Conclusion: It is necessary to provide preventive fall education with older adults in outpatients settings considering the fear level of falling and the numbers of accompanying diseases.