Purpose: The purpose of this study was to
investigate the knowledge and attitude towards
falls among elderly inpatients and to provide
basic data for development of fall prevention
programs. Method: From April to May 2007, 180
elders who were hospitalized in a general hospital
in Seoul were interviewed with a structured
questionnaire about risk factors, attitude and knowledge related to falls. Medical records were
also reviewed. Data were analyzed with SPSS
program. Results: While hospitalized, 25.6% of
the participants received education on the
prevention of falls. There were significant
differences in attitude toward falls according to
age, smoking, alcohol consumption, combined
diagnosis, history of surgery, history of falls,
activity status, sleep disturbance and depression.
There was a significant correlation between
attitude and the number of risk factors and the
number of medications being taken. Attitude
towards falls increased with self-perceived risk of
fall and score on the Morse Fall Scale.
Knowledge of falls was significantly related to
education level, and anxiety. Conclusion: The
study revealed that elderly inpatients had
increased risk factors for falls. These factors may
impact on attitude toward falls.