Prevalence and Risk Factors of Falls Among Older Adult Outpatients in Amman, Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study 2024.

BACKGROUND

Falls among older adults are a significant public health concern, contributing to morbidity, disability, and mortality. Despite their impact, data on fall prevalence and associated risk factors in Jordan remain scarce. This hospital-based study aims to estimate the prevalence of falls among older individuals attending outpatient clinics at the University of Jordan Hospital in Amman, Jordan, and identify key risk factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jordan University Hospital, where 406 individuals aged 60 years and older were surveyed between October 2024 and December 2024. Self-reported data were collected using the Falls Risk for Older People – Community Setting (FROP-Com) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression were performed to examine associations between fall occurrence and demographic, medical, and functional variables.

RESULTS

The prevalence of at least one fall in the past year was (45.6%), with (40%) of fallers experiencing recurrent falls. Injuries occurred in (84.9%) of fallers, and (31.4%) sustained severe injuries. Most falls took place at home (53.8%) and in the morning (74.1%). In the fully adjusted multivariate model, significant risk factors for falling included cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.12–2.85, p = 0.016), osteoporosis (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.31–4.12, p = 0.004), somatosensory impairment (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.31–3.27, p = 0.002), and widowhood (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.03–3.64, p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

Falls were prevalent among older adults attending outpatient clinics at the University of Jordan Hospital in Amman, and they were associated with significant risk factors. These findings highlight the need for targeted fall prevention strategies, including routine screening, tailored exercise programs, home safety modifications, and patient education. It is important to emphasize that the cross-sectional design of this study limits our ability to infer causality. Additionally, since our study was hospital-based, the generalizability of the findings may be constrained, limiting their applicability to the broader community-dwelling elderly population. Future research should focus on community-based studies to enhance generalizability, develop evidence-based interventions, and utilize study designs that can better infer causality.