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Physical Function, Fear of Falling, Occupational Status and Falls in a Nigerian Older Adults Sample

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed at examining the levels of physical function (PF), fear of falling (FOF), occupational status and fall prevalence and the association among these variables in a Nigerian elderly sample.

Methods

180 volunteering elderly individuals (72.1 ± 7.0 years) from selected South-Eastern, Nigeria communities participated in this study. The PF domain of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, the Fall Efficacy Scale (FES) and oral interview were used for evaluating participants’ PF, FOF and fall experiences and occupational status.

Results

FOF and fall prevalence rates were 34.4 % and 27.8 % respectively. FOF (kw = 8.41, p = 0.00) and PF (kw = 6.48, p = 0.04) were significantly different for different categories of fallers, while individuals with FOF have significantly lower PF than those without FOF (u = 2004, p = 0.00). Occupational inactivity was significantly associated with presence of FOF (X 2 = 7.734, p = 0.005)

Conclusions

FOF and fall prevalence rates were high among participants, and majority function at a dependent level. Poor PF is associated with individuals with either multiple falls and/or with presence of FOF while being occupationally inactive is associated with FOF presence but not with PF and fall frequency. Therapy focus for older adults should be on enhancing PF and encouraging occupational activeness.

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Conflict of interest

All the authors declare no conflict of interest.

Informed Consent

The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital and complied with the guidelines outlined in the Helsinki principle. All the participants gave their informed consent.

Ethical Treatment of Experimental Subjects (Animal and Human)

No experimental treatment was conducted on either human or animal subjects in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria

    Christopher Olusanjo Akosile, Francis Junior Odidika, Emmanuel Chiebuka Okoye & Fatai Adesina Maruf

  2. Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

    Babatunde Olusola Adeleke Adegoke

  3. Department of Physiotherapy, Ring Road State Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

    Akinlolu Abayomi Oderinde

  4. Department of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

    Adeolu Olusola Kehinde

  5. Department of Physiotherapy, General Hospital, Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, Nigeria

    Najim Olayiwola Raji

Authors
  1. Christopher Olusanjo Akosile
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  2. Francis Junior Odidika
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  3. Emmanuel Chiebuka Okoye
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  4. Babatunde Olusola Adeleke Adegoke
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  5. Fatai Adesina Maruf
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  6. Akinlolu Abayomi Oderinde
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  7. Adeolu Olusola Kehinde
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  8. Najim Olayiwola Raji
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher Olusanjo Akosile.

Additional information

This work has been previously presented at the 52nd Annual Scientific Conference of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, Edo, Nigeria. 2012.

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Akosile, C.O., Odidika, F.J., Okoye, E.C. et al. Physical Function, Fear of Falling, Occupational Status and Falls in a Nigerian Older Adults Sample. Ageing Int 40, 327–337 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-014-9202-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-014-9202-2

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