Risk of falls in hospitalized pregnant women: a descriptive, correlational study

The aim of this study was to examine the risk of falls and associated factors among hospitalized pregnant women and to evaluate the measurement consistency between the Itaki II Fall Risk Scale and the Assessment Scale for Risk of Falling in Pregnant Women.

This descriptive, correlational study was performed in the obstetrics ward of a university hospital between March and August 2024. A total of 165 pregnant women were included in the study. Data were collected using the Assessment Scale for Risk of Falling in Pregnant Women questionnaire and the Itaki II Fall Risk Scale. For data analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Spearman's correlation, linear regression, and Bland-Altman analysis were employed.

The prevalence of falls during pregnancy was 10.3%. The median total Assessment Scale for Risk of Falling in Pregnant Women score was 9, whereas the median Itaki II Fall Risk Scale score was 2. Gestational weight gain, gestational age, spouse's education level, and the presence of chronic diseases were significantly associated with fall risk (p<0.05). A low-level significant correlation was found between the scales, and Bland-Altman analyses indicated that there was no measurement coherence between the two scales.

Early identification of pregnant women at risk of falls and implementation of appropriate preventive strategies are critical for patient safety. Therefore, it is recommended to develop a reliable fall risk assessment tool tailored for hospitalized pregnant women and to provide education programs and environmental modifications.