Factors associated with home hazards: Findings from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study

Aim: Previous studies have investigated home hazards as a risk factor for falls without considering factors associated with the presence of home hazards. The present study aimed to determine patterns of home hazards among urban community-dwelling older Malaysians, and to identify factors contributin...

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Main Authors: Romli, Muhammad Hibatullah, Tan, Maw Pin, Mackenzie, Lynette, Lovarini, Meryl, Kamaruzzaman, Shahrul Bahyah, Clemson, Lindy
Format: Article
Published: Wiley 2017
Subjects:
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author Romli, Muhammad Hibatullah
Tan, Maw Pin
Mackenzie, Lynette
Lovarini, Meryl
Kamaruzzaman, Shahrul Bahyah
Clemson, Lindy
author_facet Romli, Muhammad Hibatullah
Tan, Maw Pin
Mackenzie, Lynette
Lovarini, Meryl
Kamaruzzaman, Shahrul Bahyah
Clemson, Lindy
author_sort Romli, Muhammad Hibatullah
collection UM
description Aim: Previous studies have investigated home hazards as a risk factor for falls without considering factors associated with the presence of home hazards. The present study aimed to determine patterns of home hazards among urban community-dwelling older Malaysians, and to identify factors contributing to home hazards. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the initial wave of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study were used. Basic demographics were obtained from the Global Questionnaire. Basic and instrumental activities of daily living were measured using the Katz and Lawton–Brody scales, and home hazards were identified using the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool. Participants were also asked if they had fallen in the previous 12 months. Results: Data were analyzed from 1489 participants. Hazards were frequently identified (>30%) in the toilet and bathroom areas (no grab rail, no non-slip mat, distant toilet), slippery floors, no bedside light access and inappropriate footwear. Lower educational attainment, traditional housing, Chinese ethnicity, greater number of home occupants, lower monthly expenditure, poor vision and younger age were the factors independently associated with home hazards. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that home hazards are a product of the interaction of the individual's function within their home environment. Hazards are also influenced by local sociocultural and environmental factors. The relationship between home hazards and falls appears complex and deserves further evaluation.
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spelling um.eprints-208772019-04-10T04:55:11Z http://eprints.um.edu.my/20877/ Factors associated with home hazards: Findings from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study Romli, Muhammad Hibatullah Tan, Maw Pin Mackenzie, Lynette Lovarini, Meryl Kamaruzzaman, Shahrul Bahyah Clemson, Lindy R Medicine Aim: Previous studies have investigated home hazards as a risk factor for falls without considering factors associated with the presence of home hazards. The present study aimed to determine patterns of home hazards among urban community-dwelling older Malaysians, and to identify factors contributing to home hazards. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the initial wave of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study were used. Basic demographics were obtained from the Global Questionnaire. Basic and instrumental activities of daily living were measured using the Katz and Lawton–Brody scales, and home hazards were identified using the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool. Participants were also asked if they had fallen in the previous 12 months. Results: Data were analyzed from 1489 participants. Hazards were frequently identified (>30%) in the toilet and bathroom areas (no grab rail, no non-slip mat, distant toilet), slippery floors, no bedside light access and inappropriate footwear. Lower educational attainment, traditional housing, Chinese ethnicity, greater number of home occupants, lower monthly expenditure, poor vision and younger age were the factors independently associated with home hazards. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that home hazards are a product of the interaction of the individual's function within their home environment. Hazards are also influenced by local sociocultural and environmental factors. The relationship between home hazards and falls appears complex and deserves further evaluation. Wiley 2017 Article PeerReviewed Romli, Muhammad Hibatullah and Tan, Maw Pin and Mackenzie, Lynette and Lovarini, Meryl and Kamaruzzaman, Shahrul Bahyah and Clemson, Lindy (2017) Factors associated with home hazards: Findings from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 18 (3). pp. 387-395. ISSN 1444-1586, DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.13189 <https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.13189>. https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.13189 doi:10.1111/ggi.13189
spellingShingle R Medicine
Romli, Muhammad Hibatullah
Tan, Maw Pin
Mackenzie, Lynette
Lovarini, Meryl
Kamaruzzaman, Shahrul Bahyah
Clemson, Lindy
Factors associated with home hazards: Findings from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study
title Factors associated with home hazards: Findings from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study
title_full Factors associated with home hazards: Findings from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study
title_fullStr Factors associated with home hazards: Findings from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with home hazards: Findings from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study
title_short Factors associated with home hazards: Findings from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study
title_sort factors associated with home hazards findings from the malaysian elders longitudinal research study
topic R Medicine
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