Prevalence and Factors Related to Fear of Falling and Avoidance of Activity in Postmenopausal Women

Ahn, Sukhee

Purpose:

This study was to identify the prevalence of fear of falling and avoidance activity and analyze the univariate and multivariate associations between demographic- and health-related variables and levels of fear of falling and avoidance of activity in postmenopausal women with at least mild fear of falling.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study in 541 postmenopausal women aged from 50 to 64 years was conducted via a stratified convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire was administered to subjects to measure demographic (age, education, living situation), health-related (perceived health status, osteoporosis diagnosed, experience of fall and fracture, and fracture history when fell down) and psychosocial variables (fear of falling, avoidance of activity due to fear of falling, and fall self-efficacy). Chi-squares and t-tests, and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the associations between the selected correlates and both outcomes.

Results:

Nineteen percent of the subjects expressed severe fear of falling and 15% were severe level of avoidance of activity. All demographic- and health-related variables were identified as univariate correlates of severe fear of falling; older age, lower education, osteoporosis, and severe fear of falling were of severe level of avoidance of activity. From multivariate analyses, age 55-59, worsened perceived health, and osteoporosis were correlated independently with severe fear of falling. Older age, lower education, severe fear of falling, and lower fall self-efficacy were significant variables for avoidance of activity.

Conclusion:

In addition to demographic- and health-related variables, level of fear of falling and fall self-efficacy contributed independently to the difference between mild and severe avoidance of activity due to fear of falling. Improved education for osteoporosis and fall prevention is needed to enhance the level of awareness and to reduce fear of falling and avoidance of activity in postmenopausal women, particularly in their early stages of development.