BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that old age and cold temperatures are risk factors for bathing-related accidents (BRAs) in Japan. The differences between outdoor and indoor temperatures are believed to depend on the housing type (detached houses or apartment buildings). This study aimed to investigate the associations between age, temperature, and BRAs according to housing type in Japan. METHODS: We included cases in which patients were transported by ambulance from domestic bathrooms between April 2016 and March 2022 in Nagoya city. Age-specific BRA incidence rates measured by 5-year age groups, temperature-specific age-adjusted standardized incidence rates (SIRs) for BRA calculated by temperature quintile groups, and the BRA risk regarding temperature based on a time-stratified case-crossover (CCO) design were compared between detached houses and apartment buildings. RESULTS: We observed 4,848 ambulance dispatches owing to BRAs (3,083 in detached houses and 1,765 in apartment buildings; SIR for detached houses compared to apartment buildings: 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33-1.43). The ratio of detached houses to apartment buildings in the age-specific BRA incidence was almost the same in middle-aged people, but it significantly increased from the age of 70 years onward (incidence rate ratio for the 70-74-years age group: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.43-2.11). Temperature-specific SIR for detached houses compared to apartment buildings was not significantly different in the hottest temperature quintile but increased significantly in the other colder temperature quintiles (SIR in coldest quintile: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.47-1.66). BRA risk based on CCO design increased significantly with a decrease in temperature in detached houses (risk ratio [RR] for 3 °C: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.05-1.47), but not in apartment buildings (RR for 3 °C: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.86-1.34). CONCLUSIONS Detached houses had higher BRA incidence rates than apartments. Older age and lower temperatures, which are risk factors for BRAs, were more prevalent in detached houses than in apartment buildings. Thus, public health measures that focus on detached houses are necessary for preventing BRAs in Japan.
Humans ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Housing/statistics & numerical data* ; Baths/adverse effects* ; Ambulances/statistics & numerical data* ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Temperature ; Incidence ; Aged, 80 and over ; Young Adult ; Age Factors ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Child ; Risk Factors ; Infant, Newborn ; Accidents, Home/statistics & numerical data*

OBJECTIVETo understand the incidence of falls in different residents of four communities in Zhejiang Province to provide a basis for their prevention and control.

METHODSA household questionnaire survey on falls was conducted in 16 899 residents of two urban and two rural communities during November 2000 to October 2001.

RESULTSStandardized incidence rate of falls was 5.07%, higher in rural areas (5.23%) than that in urban areas (4.95%) and showing no significant differences by gender. Falls occurred in September and October accounted for 11.68% and 19.22% and those occurred in pre-school children and the elderly accounted for 22.94% and 19.46% of the total episodes, respectively. Leading causes of falls varied in different population, from falls during their play (7.65%) and sports (4.06%) in young people and pre-school children (19.12%), slipping down when walking in adult (1.21%) and elderly (4.28%) men, and slipping down when up and down stairs in adult and elderly women. Burden and severity of injury caused by falls were increased with age.

CONCLUSIONSIncidence of falls in pre-school children and the elderly was higher in local residents of communities in Zhejiang Province, causing heavy burden to the society and their families. Varied relevant measures should be taken to prevent and control for falls in different subgroups of population.

Accidental Falls ; economics ; statistics & numerical data ; Accidents, Home ; economics ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Health ; Sampling Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Health

Community-based centres were surveyed to determine the frequency of and risk factors for falls among elderly Koreans. We examined fall-related risk factors, including physiological and physical health, psychosocial functions, self-reported physical capacity and activity, vision, and the use of medication, among 351 elderly people aged 65 years or older, with ambulatory. Forty-two per cent of elderly Korean subjects reported at least one episode of falling in the previous 12 months, 38% of whom had consequences that required either the attention of a physician or hospitalization. Factors significantly associated with an increased risk of falling were a restricted activity during the previous five years (adjusted OR 1.3), use of alternative therapy (adjusted OR 2.7), low knee flexor and extensor-muscle strength (adjusted OR 1.21 and 1.20), and poor balance with closed eyes (adjusted OR 8.32). We conclude that falls among older persons living in the community are common in Korea and that indicator of bad health and frailty or variables directly related to neuromuscular impairment are significant predictors of the risk of falling.
Accidental Falls/prevention & control/*statistics & numerical data ; Accidents, Home/prevention & control/*statistics & numerical data ; Activities of Daily Living ; Aged/physiology/psychology/*statistics & numerical data ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drug Utilization ; Female ; Gait ; Geriatric Assessment ; Health Status ; Housing/statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Mental Health ; Population Surveillance ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Vision Disorders/complications/epidemiology