Investigating Fall-Related Factors in Community-Dwelling Older Women Through Structural Equation Modeling Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Falls are a significant health concern for older women, with higher prevalence compared to older men.
• Limited research exists on fall-related factors in older Asian women, particularly using advanced statistical methods.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for developing targeted fall prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the direct and indirect associations among factors contributing to falls in community-dwelling older women.
• To identify key predictors of fall incidence in this specific population.
• To inform the development of effective fall prevention interventions.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 90 community-dwelling older women (≥ 60 years).
• Data collected via structured questionnaires (sociodemographics, fall incidence, fear of falling, gait efficacy) and physical assessments (physical function, physical activity levels).
• Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the complex relationships between variables.

Main Results:

• Physical function, gait efficacy, and amount of physical activity were directly associated with fall incidence.
• Physical function and fear of falling indirectly influenced fall incidence through gait efficacy and physical activity.
• Increased physical activity was directly linked to improved physical function.

Conclusions:

• Fall prevention in older women requires a multi-faceted approach.
• Interventions should focus on enhancing physical function and increasing physical activity levels.
• Psychometric interventions addressing fear of falling are essential for comprehensive fall prevention.