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RSS FeedsIJERPH, Vol. 18, Pages 9799: Ladder Use in Older People: Type, Frequency, Tasks and Predictors of Risk Behaviours (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)

 
 

17 september 2021 14:09:28

 
IJERPH, Vol. 18, Pages 9799: Ladder Use in Older People: Type, Frequency, Tasks and Predictors of Risk Behaviours (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
 


Ladder fall and injury risk increases with age. People who present to a hospital after an injurious ladder fall have been surveyed, but little is known about ladder use in the community. The purpose of this study was to: (1) document salient factors related to ladder safety, and (2) determine physical, executive function, psychological and frequency-of-use factors associated with unsafe ladder use in older people. One hundred and two older people (aged 65+ years) were recruited. Participants completed questionnaires on demographics, health, and ladder use (type, frequency, task, behaviours) and underwent assessments of physical and executive function ability. Results showed both older men and women commonly use step ladders (61% monthly, 96% yearly), mostly inside the home for tasks such as changing a lightbulb (70%) and decorating (43%). Older men also commonly use straight ladders (27% monthly, 75% yearly), mostly outside the home for tasks such as clearing gutters (74%) and pruning trees (40%). Unsafe ladder use was more common in males and individuals with greater ladder use frequency, greater quadriceps strength, better upper limb dexterity, better balance, better stepping ability, greater self-reported everyday risk-taking, a lower fear of falling, and fewer health problems compared to their counterparts (all p < 0.05). These findings document ladder use by older people and provide insight into unsafe ladder behaviours that may be amenable to interventions to reduce ladder falls and associated injuries.


 
172 viewsCategory: Medicine, Pathology, Toxicology
 
IJERPH, Vol. 18, Pages 9811: Using Low-Cost Sensors to Assess Fine Particulate Matter Infiltration (PM2.5) during a Wildfire Smoke Episode at a Large Inpatient Healthcare Facility (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
IJERPH, Vol. 18, Pages 9813: The Cotton Dust-Related Allergic Asthma: Prevalence and Associated Factors among Textile Workers in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
 
 
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