Fear of Falling and Related Factors Among Older Adults With Hypertension in Tehran, Iran

Background: Although aging is not a disease, a vast portion of the geriatric population all over the world has to deal with various types of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension (HTN). The current investigation was designed to evaluate the factors involved in fear of falling (FOF) in the elderly population with HTN in Tehran, Iran. Methods: The current descriptive-correlative investigation was conducted on an elderly population with HTN who referred to selected teaching hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences between June 2017 and September 2017. The sample selection was performed via the availability method from cardiovascular, internal, and nephrology clinics. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Persian version of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International. Results: The study population comprised 301 patients: 45.2% men and 54.8% women at an average age of 68.62 (±6.82) years. The majority of the patients had low levels of FOF. Also, there was a significant relationship between FOF and gender, occupational status, the income level, the education level, having living companions, living in a hazardous environment, and taking antihypertensives (P˂0.05). Moreover, no meaningful association was observed between FOF and other diseases, a history of hospitalization within the preceding year, and the age of the patients (P˃0.05). Conclusions: According to the obtained data, FOF is ever-present among senior adults. FOF is associated with various factors and variables. Therefore, employing interventional strategies aimed at preventing and reducing the rate of falling or its concern is a critical issue in the caring program for the geriatric population.