Spatial analysis of falls in an urban community of Hong Kong

Lai, Poh C; Low, Chien T; Wong, Martin; Wong, Wing C; Chan, Ming H

doi:10.1186/1476-072X-8-14

International Journal of Health Geographics

Table 1 Frequency of outdoor falls with selected characteristics by gender and age groups

From: Spatial analysis of falls in an urban community of Hong Kong

Characteristic	Frequency									(%)
	Female				Male				TOTAL
	20–44	45–64	> 64	Total	20–44	45–64	> 64	Total
	(n = 14)	(n = 48)	(n = 146)	(n = 208)	(n = 6)	(n = 10)	(n = 57)	(n = 73)	(N = 281)
Environmental Cause
Uneven floor	11	41	113	165	3	4	46	53	218	78
curb	1	6	10	17	0	1	6	7	24	9
Loose bricks	1	2	6	9	0	0	4	4	13	5
Obstacle	2	4	16	22	0	0	5	5	27	10
Steps	1	2	11	14	0	0	6	6	20	7
Stairs	3	8	2	13	0	1	2	3	16	6
Uneven pavement	3	19	68	90	3	2	23	28	*118*	42
Slippery/Wet Floor	6	17	66	89	3	2	23	28	117	42
Any of above	1	10	54	65	1	0	17	18	83	30
Uncertain	0	2	1	3	0	1	0	1	4	1
Activity during fall
Walking	10	39	109	158	4	6	41	51	209	74
Rushing	4	8	31	43	2	3	10	15	58	21
Morning Exercise	0	0	2	2	0	0	4	4	6	2
Alighting from bus	0	1	4	5	0	1	2	3	8	3
Specific Complaints
Insufficient Light	1	8	7	16	1	1	6	8	24	9
Avoid car hitting	0	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	2	1
Short signal timing for pedestrian crossings	0	0	2	2	0	0	2	2	4	1
Pushed by pedestrian	1	1	13	15	2	0	3	5	20	7
Hit by wheelbarrow	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	1	2	1
Time of fall
Midnight to 6 am	0	2	3	5	0	0	3	3	8	3
6 am to Noon	6	21	86	113	2	5	32	39	152	54
Noon to 6 pm	5	19	50	74	2	3	18	23	97	34
6 pm to Midnight	3	6	7	16	2	2	4	8	24	9
Weekend	2	11	55	68	2	1	18	21	89	32
Weekday	12	37	91	140	4	9	39	52	192	68
Raining	4	7	32	43	2	1	15	18	61	22
Clear	10	41	114	165	4	9	42	55	220	78
Footwear
Sandal	0	15	80	95	2	5	25	32	127	45
Sport Shoes	2	6	13	21	2	2	8	12	33	12
Proper Shoes	5	21	53	79	2	2	24	28	107	38
High Heels	7	5	0	12	0	0	0	0	12	4
others	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	1	2	1
Injury
Minor	14	38	86	138	5	7	40	52	190	68
Serious	0	10	59	69	0	3	16	19	88	31
*not sure	0	0	1	1	1	0	1	2	3	1
Hospitalization
Yes	0	5	31	36	0	1	10	11	47	17
No	14	43	115	172	6	9	47	62	234	83
Use of assistive device
Yes	0	3	55	58	0	0	23	23	81	29
No	14	45	91	150	6	10	34	50	200	71
Gait
Stable	12	38	65	115	6	7	21	34	149	53
Unstable	2	10	81	93	0	3	36	39	132	47
Vision
Clear	14	43	57	114	6	8	22	36	150	53
Unclear	0	5	89	94	0	2	35	37	131	47
Fall in most recent 5 years
Yes	2	6	80	88	0	5	37	42	130	46
No	12	42	64	120	6	5	20	31	151	54

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ISSN: 1476-072X

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