Fall risk and its associated factors among hypertensive older adults in Dhulikhel municipality, Nepal

TL;DR

This study finds that 27% of older adults with hypertension in Nepal are at high risk of falling, with age and poor social support being key factors.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into fall risk factors among hypertensive older adults in a Low- and Middle-Income Country context.

Findings

27% of hypertensive older adults in Nepal were at high fall risk.

Each additional year of age increased fall risk by 1.1 times.

Poor social support increased fall risk by 4.1 times compared to good social support.

Abstract

Falls are a leading cause of disability and mortality among older adults, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like Nepal. Despite the growing number of hypertensive older adults, evidence on their fall risk remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with fall risk among hypertensive older adults residing in Nepal.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected hypertensive older adults (n = 186) in the Dhulikhel municipality, Nepal. Fall risk was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, with a cut-off of ≥ 14 s indicating high risk. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify associated factors.

Risk of fall was prevalent among 27% of older adults. After adjustment for potential confounders, with each year increase in age the risk of fall was 1.1 times higher (p < 0.01, 95% CI 1.05,1.2), for those with poor social support compared to those with good social support risk of fall was 4.1 times higher (p = 0.007, 95% CI 1.4, 11.7), for those who were not Living with family members compared to those who were Living with family members it was 0.1 times lower (p = 0.03, 95% CI 0.05, 0.6).

Targeted fall prevention strategies should account for both physical risk factors like age and contextual elements such as living arrangements. Further research is needed to understand the protective mechanisms among older adults living alone in the LMICs.

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