Journal List > Korean J Women Health Nurs > v.15(4) > 1037210

Ahn, Kim, So, and Song: Factors Influencing Fear of Falling in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Purpose

The study was to identify influencing factors on fear of falling in postmenopausal women.

Methods

With a correlational survey design, 125 postmenopausal women were recruited at the D metropolitan city by a convenience sampling. Fracture risk status was assessed by bone mineral densities (BMD) at lumbar and femur with DEXA method. A structured study questionnaire was used to measure demographic variables, osteoporosis self-efficacy, and fear of falling.

Results

Mean age of the subjects was 59 years old and duration since menopause was 9.55 years. Twenty six percent of the subjects belonged to osteoporotic group in fracture risk status. Mean score for fear of falling was 16.10 (SD=5.18) indicating low level, and osteoporosis self-efficacy for exercise and diet was 44.76 (SD=7.41), indicating mid-range level. Factors influencing the fear of falling was longer time since menopause (β=.30), lower score of osteoporosis self-efficacy for exercise (β=-.26), poor health perception status (β=-.16), and presence of chronic disease (β=.16), and the explained variance was 20%.

Conclusion

Although the level of fear of falling was yet low in postmenopausal women, women who had lower self-efficacy of osteoporosis for exercise and poorer health perception felt greater fear of falling. Therefore, an educational program specific to improve osteoporosis self-efficacy and reduce the fear of falling is needed for improving postmenopausal women's psychosocial well-being.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Subjects' characteristics by fracture risk status (N=125)
kjwhn-15-344-i001
Table 2
Differences in fear of falling and osteoporosis self-efficacy by fracture risk status (N=125)
kjwhn-15-344-i002
Table 3
Relationships among fear of falling and the related variables (N=125)
kjwhn-15-344-i003

*BMD=bone mineral density.

Table 4
Factors Influencing fear of falling (N=125)
kjwhn-15-344-i004

Notes

This study was supported by Chungnam National University Research Grants of 2007.

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