Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Fall injuries are a major public health concern in elderly. About 28–35% of the elderly people aged 65 years are experiencing fall each year and the prevalence of fall increases to 32–42% in elderly aged 70 years. Falls are one of the major problems in the elderly and are considered as one of the geriatric giants. As the frequency of fall increases with increasing age and frailty level the costs to treat fall injuries are also likely to rise.

A community based cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the costs of fall-related injury in the elderly in the rural Kattankulathur Block. The survey carried out among elderly contacted from 11 villages selected randomly. Semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding cost of fall.

140 elderly were reported to have fallen at least once in the past one year among 747 elders contacted. The mean costs per fall victim, was found to be 4563 Rs, the mean costs among males were 5636 Rs and among Females were 3656 Rs. In the Linear Regression analysis, Age, Kind of Facility, Time taken to take decision for seeking treatment was found to be significant with the cost associated with fall.

Fall prevention must be emphasized in public health polices and health programs for elderly people. Falls are an emerging public health problem and a barrier to an active ageing in India. The increasing number of falls in elderly aged 70 and above has a considerable effect on the cost of treatment. There is a need for collective efforts of health professionals, researcher, policy makers and health care delivery system to promote active ageing and prevent fall injuries.