Risk factors for unintentional injuries among the rural elderly: a county-based cross-sectional survey

This study aimed to provide evidence for the prevention and reduction of unintentional injuries in the rural elderly by analysing epidemiological data of injuries among rural older adults (65⁺) and identifying the involved risk and protective factors. This study analysed all information, including the social demographic characteristics, chronic disease condition, lifestyle, living environment, mental health, activities of daily living and detailed information about the nature of the injuries. Chi-square tests, rank tests and a multivariate logistic regression were performed. The prevalence of unintentional injuries was 44.4%; according to the multivariate regression analysis, ten variables, including gender, floor tiles, cane use, sleeping duration, roughage intake frequency, mental health status, diabetes, arthritis and cataracts, were involved in the injury patterns. Low roughage intake (OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.64-3.35), the use of a cane (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.31-2.41), a sleeping duration of five hours (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.27-2.42) and severe mental disorders (OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.01-2.57) were the top 4 risk factors. In conclusion, we found that unintentional injuries among the rural elderly were closely related to chronic disease, mental health and residence environment. These findings could be beneficial for the prevention of unintentional injuries and for policy makers and health service managers.