Prevalence of Falls among Older Women in Malaysia and Its Association with Urinary Incontinence
Creators: name: Shahein, Nik Adilah
name: Sahril, Norhafizah
name: Ying, Chan Ying
name: Mohd Hafizuddin Taufik Ramli
name: Nor'Ain Ab Wahab
name: Norzawati Yeop
name: Mohd Solihin Rezali
name: Tahir, Fatin Athira
name: Mohd Shaiful Azlan Kassim
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: Prevalence
Falls
Older
Women
Malaysia
Association
Urinary
Incontinence

description: <strong>Introduction </strong>In an ageing society, falls is a serious issue that contributes to morbidity and mortality. Additional health problem such as urinary incontinence could further increase risks. Urinary incontinence could present in the form of stress, urge incontinence or mixed. Previous studies have demonstrated the link between urinary incontinence and falls. This sub-study aims to demonstrate the prevalence of falls among older women in Malaysia and its association with urinary incontinence. <strong>Methodology </strong>Data was obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2018, a cross-sectional survey focusing on elderly health in the population. Secondary data obtained were for women aged ≧60 years old (n=). Information on socio-demography and falls history were obtained from face-to-face interview. Urinary incontinence was measured using a validated tool, Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID) which could assess stress and urge incontinence. Descriptive and logistic regression complex sampling analysis was done using SPSS version 22. <strong>Results </strong>The prevalence of having at least 1 fall episode in the past 12 months at the date of interview among women aged 60 and above was 14.7% in Malaysia. Those aged &gt;80 years old, from urban area, unemployed and with a spouse have higher prevalence of falls compared to their counterparts. The prevalence of falls among women with urinary incontinence was 24.3%; higher for stress incontinence (33.5%) compared to urge incontinence (20.1%). Older women with urinary incontinence have almost 2 times odds of falling [OR 1.98 (95% CI: 1.3, 3.0). Those with stress incontinence 3 times odds of falling [OR 3.09 (95% CI: 2.0,5.0)] as to urge incontinence [OR 1.48(95% CI: 0.52,4.19)]. Multiple logistic regression revealed that urinary incontinence were positively associated with those who had stress urinary incontinence [aOR 1.51 (95%CI: 1.03,2.04)] <strong>Discussion / Conclusion </strong>Prevalence of falls increases with age which is consistent with previous studies. The finding that urinary incontinence is associated with falls was similar to studies done in England, Australia, Japan and the United States. This could be due to the need to rush to the bathroom due to incontinence. Another study suggested that the discomfort and anxiety associated with it which could interfere with balance leading to falls. Urinary incontinence should be considered as a risk factor for falls especially in women. Likely due to the small sample size, significant associations when multiple factors were considered were unable to be demonstrated. Further studies should be done in the future with larger sample size to explore the association in order to determine the necessity and suitable early preventive strategies.