Factors Related to the Accidental Incidence of Elderly in Kham Pom Sub-district, Prayuen District, Khon Kaen

Abstract

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to study the risk factors related to accidents of the 253 elderly over 60 years of age in Kham Pom Sub-district, Phrayuen District, Khon Kaen Province. The data were collected by using structural questionnaires and surveying the environment inside and outside of the house between January to March 2010. The descriptive statistics used were frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The inferential statistics used were Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and multiple logistic regression. The correlation between risk factors and accident of elderly showed with the Odds ratio and 95% confdent interval.

Finding pointed out that “accident history” and “not wearing shoes properly” were signifcantly correlated with accident of the elderly (p-value < 0.05). The risk factor of elderly people who had an accident history was 6.4 times (95%CI = 2.65 - 15.36) higher than people who do not have such a history. While the risk for people over 60 yeas of age who did not wear shoes properly was 5.7 times (95%CI = 1.49 - 1.78) higher than for those who did. Therefore, risk factors are correlated to elderly accidents. Elderly people should improve the environmental safety of their houses, such as wearing comfortable shoes, their shoes are not slip and changed be new shoes. Inside environment should also be regulated as well; unclear pathways.