1.Nutritional and Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Status Association with Fall among Older Persons in Malaysia: Findings from National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) Malaysia 2018
Jayvikramjit Singh ; Mohamad Fuad Mohamad Anuar ; Azli Baharudin ; Suhaila Abdul Ghaffar ; Cheong Siew Man ; Lalita Palineveloo ; Syafinaz Mohd Sallehuddin ; Nur Shahida Abd Aziz ; Norsyamlina Che Abdul Rahim ; Munawara Pardi ; Nur Hamizah Nasaruddin ; Ahmad Ali Zainuddin
International Journal of Public Health Research 2021;11(2):1448-1454
Introduction:
Fall is a health problem for older persons. This study investigates the potential
factors of concern: the nutritional status of older persons and non-communicable
disease association with incidence of falls.
Methods:
This study used data from NHMS 2018, and conducted a cross-sectional design
by applying two-stage stratified cluster sampling. Descriptive statistics such as
the percentage of each variable were done. Factors associated with falls were
determined at both univariate and multivariable levels using simple logistic
regression and multiple logistic regression. The data were presented as standard
values for each analysis and adjusted odds ratios with 95% CI with p values
(<0.05).
Results:
A total of 3,867 from 3,977 elderly (mean age 68.2+ 6.85) were recruited with
the response rate of 97.2%. Factors associated with fall were 70 years old and
above (AOR= 1.34, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.64), obesity (AOR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.21,
1.98), undernutrition (AOR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.94), persons with 2 NCDs
(AOR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.92) and persons with 3 NCDs (AOR=1.63, 95%
CI: 1.23, 2.16).
Conclusions
Advanced age, malnutrition, obesity, and having two or more NCDs are
associated with falls in the NHMS 2018 study. In conclusion, falls are prevalent
among older persons. There is an urgent need for public health strategies and
programmes to decrease the incidence of modifiable risk factors and early
identification of those at risk. Implementation of fall preventive programs which
includes multifactorial interventions at hospitals and homes can also
significantly reduce incidence of falls among older persons