Avaliação do risco de quedas em idosos assistidos na estratégia saúde da família.

Abstract

The accelerated process of population aging and the high prevalence of falls in the elderly are phenomena present in Brazil, thus requiring the development of studies and social rearrangements that envisage a qualified health care approach in this population. Considering the large burden of morbidity associated to the falls in elderly recognized by the World Health Organization as a serious public health problem and that primary care has qualified for its prevention tools, this research aimed to assess the risk of falls in elderly people registered and monitored in the Family Health Strategy the city of Cuité - PB. Consists of an exploratory and descriptive study of quantitative design, with sample of 132 older adults. We used a questionnaire with the participants and the results were statistically analyzed with the chi-square test used to assess the association between categorical variables. The results show that most of the participants are female, aged in 70 to 79 years, illiterate, married, with a household income between 2 ou 3 minimum wages as a caregiver their husband and/or children. Regarding exposure to risk factors, the most significant were dizziness/vertigo (77,3%), uneven floors (94,7%), steps/gaps in the floor (85,6%) and bathroom without support/bar (99,2%). With regard to the frequency of falls, 51,5% suffered falls from their own height. Among the 72 cases tested, there was statistical association between previous falls and peripheral venous disease (p=0,009), obesity (p=0,016) osteoporosis (p=0,007), alcohol consumption (p=0,000), use of medicines (p=0,027/p=0.000) and inappropriate footwear (p=0.000). Therefore, it is evident the high risk of falls in the elderly, raising the need to guarantee them a safe environment, especially in their home. Health education should be used as a daily tool in nursing work of the family health strategy, providing guidance on fall prevention for the elderly, the family and the caregiver.