The Health Implication of Falls and the Manner at Which Fall is Perceived among Older Adults in Nigeria
- March 13, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRISS, Sociology
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue II, February 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Dr Atumah, Oscar N.1, Olusanya, Mopelola2
1,2 Department of Sociology, University of Abuja, Abuja Nigeria
Abstract: – The paper focuses on exploring the healthcare implications of falls on older adults in Nigeria by identifying their perception and involvement in fall prevention programs. The root causes, associated risk factors, and the consequences of fall, the risk assessment, prevention, and management of fall were also considered. Relevant literatures were reviewed to draw appropriate inferences. Using an in-depth interview method, this study attempted to uncover how older adults perceived fall related issues and their willingness to participate in any activity that is designed to reduce the prevailing incidents of falls among older adults. 60 older adults, 65 years and above were interviewed during the celebration of the world Senior Citizens Day at National Hospital Abuja on 2nd October 2019. The history of fall, time of occurrence, nature of fall, the possible cause(s), and risk factors associated with fall constituted the focus of discussion. Findings revealed that knowledge about prevalence of fall were not widely disseminated, and perception about falls and its prevention are low and were not usually reported due to cultural and religious beliefs. It is recommended that government should include the elderly in its policy plan and appropriate measures should be taken to provide for the elderly 65 years and above in the National Health Insurance Scheme. Proper reporting of falls among the elderly via a registry should be instituted alongside a fall prevention training for health professionals in the specialty of geriatric care. Using validated tools in the assessment, prevention, and management of falls will be a first step towards reducing the menace of falls among the older adults in Nigeria.
Keywords: Healthcare implications, Falls, Risk assessment, Older adults, Nigeria
I. INTRODUCTION
Fall in older adults within the age of 65 and above is becoming a source of increasing burden for individuals, families, and the nation. Fall in the elderly is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and as one increases in age, the risk of falling also increases as the frequency of occurrences increases as a person live to be older (Jill, 2018). Solis & Champion (2016) identified fall as the 4th cause of death in the United States, and added that a previous incident of fall doubles the risk of reoccurrence of another fall. Tarreef (2014) also observed that falls in the elderly are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality
