[Falls in the elderly: knowing to act]

To study the prevalence of falls and to analyze the associated factors in non institutionalized population aged 65 or older in Catalonia.

Data were collected from the 2002 Health Survey of Catalonia. Information on self reported falls according age, sex, educational level, social class, suffering chronic diseases and disabilities in people aged 65 or older (542 men and 665 women) was analyzed. Multivariate logistic analysis was applied.

17.9% of the population aged 65 or older reported falls during the last twelve months. The frequency increases with ageing. To be women, to have university studies, having three or more chronic diseases and two disabilities is associated to a high risk of falling. Comparing 1994 and 2002 Health Surveys of Catalonia, the proportion of elderly people who reported falls has significantly increased.

Although it is necessary to advance on the knowledge of the risk factors and interventions addressed to prevent and reduce the occurrence of falls in the elderly people, a multifactorial and intersectorial approach seems the most adequate.