INTRODUCTION: Fifty percent of falls in elderly result in some kind of injury. This study aims to assess the prevalence and identify factors associated with falls in aged people in a county of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: A survey was conducted with people 60 years-old or more who were able to respond by themselves to a multidimensional assessment questionnaire applied by trained community health agents. We calculated proportions and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: 1,064 individuals were included. They were mostly women (57%), with mean age of 71,4 years. 322 participants (30,3% - 95%CI 27,6-33,2) fell during the previous year, and 148 (13,9% - 95%CI 11,9 -16,2) fell at least twice. Some associations became evident: female sex, advanced age, being divorced, living alone, as well as indicators of bad health condition, functional capacity and satisfaction with life. CONCLUSION: This study highlights already known factors associated to falls in the elderly. The major challenge is the proposition of interventions towards modifiable factors and active identification of persons under risk of falling aiming at preventive rehabilitation.
Accidental Falls; Aged; Risk Factors