Abstract
BackgroundThe Bangkok falls study aimed to identify fall-associated factors, including home healthcare hazards, nutritional status, hydration status, sarcopenia, frailty, locomotive syndrome, and health status of urban older adults in a middle-income country.Methods This was a population-based cohort study that enrolled adults who lived in Bangkok, Thailand. Our study recruited older adults aged ≥ 60 years old, able to walk, and expected to live in the community for at least 2 years. The study had three phases included; phase 1: subject identification and terminology clarification. Phase 2: we collected data at community sites on baseline characteristic and fall risk identification. Examinations and laboratory investigations were scheduled for one month later. Phase 3: telephone follow up for falls rate, functional status and death at 3, 6, 12 months.Results A total 1,001(51.84%) people were enrolled for our study. The average age of our study was 69.9 years old (SD, 6.8), and two-thirds were female. Using “Stopping Elderly Accidents, Death and Injuries” (STEADI) screening fall risk, our study found that 37.7% had scores ≥ 4, which means that there is a risk of fall. In addition, the risk of falls increased among older adults aged 75–84 years (49.5%) and older adults aged ≥ 85 years (67.7%) (P-value < 0.001).ConclusionThis study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting a population-based cohort study among urban older adults in a middle-income country using the local community healthcare system. Our study have a tendency to provide data source for fall risk factors and disability in older adults.
Assessment of a psychiatric intervention at community level for people who inject drugs in a low-middle income country: the DRIVE-Mind cohort study in Hai Phong, Viet Nam
