Prevalence of Fall Risk Levels Among the Elderly Using M-IFRAT in Bualu Village: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstrak

Introduction: Older adults are a vulnerable population at increased risk for various health issues, including falls. Assessing fall risk in the elderly is essential, as falls can lead to serious physical and psychological consequences and reduced quality of life. However, the prevalence of fall risk among older adults in Indonesia, particularly in Bali Province, remains underreported. This study aims to determine the prevalence of fall risk and identify associated characteristics and risk factors, offering insights into fall risk in rural communities using a multifactorial approach.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using purposive sampling. Sixty-seven elderly individuals were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fall risk was assessed using the Modified Indonesian Fall Risk Assessment Tool (M-IFRAT), chosen for its comprehensive evaluation of multiple risk factors compared to other tools.
Results: Among the 67 participants, 34.3% were identified as having a high risk of falling, primarily in the 60–79 age group. High fall risk was more prevalent among males, those with elementary education, individuals working as farmers or gardeners, and those with visual impairments. Additional contributing factors included poor balance, high fear of falling (FOF), slow walking speed, and abnormal step width.
Conclusion: This study highlights the prevalence and risk factors associated with falls among older adults in the Banjar Pande community, Bualu Village. The findings emphasize the need for targeted fall prevention strategies, including community-based interventions and health education programs, to reduce fall risk and improve the well-being of the elderly population.

Keywords: elderly, fall risk, prevalence of fall risk, Modified Indonesian Fall Risk Assessment Tool (M-IFRAT)