Determination of the Home Accident Frequency and Related Factors Among the People Older than 65 Years Old Living in Mersin City Center,Turkey

Abstract

This study determined the prevalence of home accidents among elderly people living in Mersin and the factors affecting their occurrence. The data of 609 elderly people were analyzed. The people referred to a family health center for any reason were included in the study. The frequency of having a home accident in the previous month was 9.9%. The prevalence of home accidents was 3 times higher in females, 2.7 times higher in people living with their children, 2.3 times higher in elderly who have visual impairment, and 2.7 times higher in elderly who have poor health status. Also, increase in age was a risk factor for home accidents. Home accidents constitute a significant problem for elderly people in Mersin. Environmental factors that may cause accidents within the home should be determined and the household should be arranged according to the elderly. Health problems that may pose a risk for accidents should be identified and treated.

Keywords

elderly fall home accidents injury

Introduction

Prolonged human life increases the elderly population in society. In 2016, 8.7% of the world population and 8.3% of the Turkish population consisted of elderly people. It is projected that this rate will increase up to 10.2% in 2023, 22.6% in 2060, and 25.6% in 2080 in Turkey. The expected lifetime at birth is 78.0 for the entire population: 75.3 for males and 80.7 for females (T. C. Prime Minister Turkey Statistical Institute, 2016, 2018).

Prolonged lifetime raises the issue of staying healthy and maintaining a good quality of life at advanced ages. The physical, sensory, and cognitive changes and the chronic diseases that appear with advanced age pose significant risk factors for accidents among elderly people and negatively affect their quality of life (Güner & Güler, 2002; World Health Organization [WHO], 2018).

Accidents are unplanned, unexpected, preventable events that suddenly occur and may result in injuries and damages (Aydın, 2016). In 2013, the Global Burden of Disease study estimated that 973 million people received health services due to injury and 4.8 million people died. Injuries account for 10.1% of global disease burden. Disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates in the 50 to 79 age group were higher in the high-income regions than in the other regions and in men compared with women (Haagsma et al., 2016). Elderly people encounter home accidents more frequently than other age groups because they spend most of their time at home. Home accidents are defined as accidents that occur in or around (garden or garage) the house. They are the second most frequently encountered type of accident after traffic accidents, constituting 18% to 25% of all accidents (Aydın, 2016). However, they constitute 82% of accidents among elderly people. Along with the personal characteristics of the elderly people, home environment is also a determinant for accidents. Houses contain many factors that may cause accidents (WHO, 2018; Zorlu, 2017).

Home accidents are categorized as falls, cuts, burns, drowning, foreign body aspiration, electric shock, and carbon monoxide and other types of intoxication (Aydın, 2016). Falls are the most frequently observed accident type among elderly people. Approximately 30% of people older than 65 years of age fall each year. This rate increases to 50% among those older than 75 years of age. The rate of falling again among those who have fallen once is 60%. Of the falls, 20% to 30% result in injury, which reduces an elderly people’s ability to move independently and increases the risk of premature death (Fuller, 2000; Haagsma et al., 2016; Todd & Skelton, 2004; WHO, 2018).

The factors that increase the risk of home accidents include advanced age, chronic diseases, and low socioeconomic level. Home accidents are observed more frequently among elderly people who live alone than those who live with their family (Akyol, 2007; Aydın, 2016; Naharcı & Doruk, 2009; Ping & Xiaohua, 2012; Todd & Skelton, 2004; WHO, 2007). Home accidents mostly occur among females in the elderly people’s own houses in the living room, lounge, or kitchen (Aydın, 2016; Keskinoğlu, Giray, Pıçakçıefe, Bilgiç, & Uçku, 2004; Yeo, Lee, Lim, Quek, & Ooi, 2009).

Studies in Turkey show that the frequency of home accidents among elderly people ranged between 27.7% and 59.4% in the previous year, between 23.7% and 38.3% in the previous 6 months, and 34.3% in the previous 3 months (Atman, Dinç, Oruçoğlu, Oğurlu, & Ecebay, 2007; Erkal, 2005; Keskinoğlu, Giray, et al., 2004; Keskinoglu, Picakciefe, et al., 2008; Şahbaz & Tel, 2006; Şahin & Erkal, 2016; Tortumluoğlu, Akyıl, & Özer, 2005). In other countries, the frequency of home accidents or falls is 15.3% in the previous month and between 25.1% and 31.3% in the previous year (Carter, Campbell, Sanson-Fisher, & Gillespie, 2000; Prato et al., 2017; Rizawati & Mas Ayu, 2008).

The risk of a home accident among the elderly constitutes an important public health problem that has a negative effect on them and their families. This study aims to determine the prevalence of home accidents among people older than 65 years of age living in Mersin. The study also determined whether sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyles, health problems, the features of their houses, and other potential risk factors were associated with accidents.

Materials and Method

The data of this cross-sectional study were collected between March 1 and May 15, 2017. The 2015 data from the Turkish Statistical Institute showed that the population older than 65 years of age is 66.711 in the four central districts in Mersin. By using the data derived from the other studies conducted in Turkey, which reported a frequency of having a home accident between 23.7% and 59.4% (we accepted it to be 50%) and taking into consideration a 95% confidence interval and a 3% margin of error, the minimum sample size for our study was estimated to be 595 participants. The researchers attempted to reach 610 participants. The analysis was performed on the data of 609 participants, excluding one participant.

The sample size was determined based on the population older than 65 years of age in each district. In addition, stratification was made for each district based on age group and gender.

The data of the study were collected by the questionnaire created by the researchers. The survey questions were prepared by adapting the results in similar studies in the literature (Carter et al., 2000; Erkal, 2005; Güner & Güler, 2002; Keskinoğlu, Giray, et al., 2004; Keskinoglu, Picakciefe, et al., 2008; Rizawati & Mas Ayu, 2008; Şahin & Erkal, 2016; Todd & Skelton, 2004). The pilot test was conducted in 10 older people. As a result of the pilot test, the questionnaire was finalized. The survey was conducted by seven interviewers. The interviewers were trained on the implementation of the questionnaire. Participants were older than 65 years of age who consulted to the family health center due to any health problem. After explaining the purpose of the study, the questionnaire was applied to the elderly who volunteered to participate in the study. Questionnaire was administered by face-to-face interview.

The questionnaire had both closed and open-ended questions. The questionnaire included information about the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics such as age, sex, education level, occupation, marital status, lifestyles, health problems, the features of their houses, status of having a home accident in the previous month, and the characteristics of this accident. After the questionnaire was administered, the participants were provided with an education material on measures they can take to reduce the risk of home accidents.

The dependent variable was having a home accident in the previous month and the independent variables were the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, health status, and the features of their house.

The data were summarized using mean ± standard deviation, median, frequency, and the minimum–maximum values. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test indicates that the data were not normally distributed; therefore, non-parametric test was used. Categorized data were compared using the chi-square test. The continuous variables were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. This was followed by multiple logistic regression analysis pooling factors with p values of <.05 to determine their relative associations with home accident. Two different multiple logistic models were analyzed to investigate the effect of demographical factors and health problems/lifestyle-related variables on home accident. The first model included age, gender, education level, marital status, and social security, and the second model included people they live with, visual and hearing impairment, balanced disorder, health status, person doing housework, and person cooking the meals. The statistical significance threshold was p < .05.

Results

The study included 609 elderly people aged 65 and older. The average age of the participants was 72.1 ± 6.0 years, and 40.7% of them were in the 65 to 69 age group (Table 1). The median monthly income was 1,400 TL (range = 200-7,000 TL). Participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and features of their house are shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Participants’ Sociodemographic Characteristics and Features of Their House.

Characteristics	n	%
Gender (n = 609)
Female	300	49.3
Male	309	50.7
Age (n = 609)
65-69	248	40.7
70-74	169	27.7
75-79	110	18.1
80-84	57	9.4
85+	25	4.1
Education level (n = 609)
Not educated	212	34.8
Primary and middle school	276	45.3
High school	62	10.2
University	59	9.7
Occupation (n = 609)
Housewife	246	40.4
Pensioner	168	27.6
Worker	118	19.4
Civil servant	59	9.7
Tradesman	18	2.9
Marital status (n = 609)
Married	446	73.2
Single	163	26.8
Social security (n = 609)
Yes	560	92.0
No	49	8.0
Owner of the house (n = 609)
Self	538	88.3
Rented	71	11.7
House type (n = 609)
Apartment	391	64.2
Detached house	218	35.8
Heating type (n = 609)
Stove	272	44.7
Air conditioner	140	23.0
Electric heater	92	15.1
Other	105	17.2
Floor (n = 609)
Tile	289	47.5
Concrete	168	27.5
Wooden	82	13.5
Other	70	11.5

The participants had been living in the same house for a median of 21 years (range = 1-90 years). A median of two people (1-8 persons) was living in the houses and the nearest health institution was at a median distance of 500 m (range = 10-6,000 m) from the houses. Participants’ lifestyles and health status are shown in Table 2.

Table 2.

Participants’ Lifestyles and Health Status.

Characteristics	n	%
People they live with (n = 609)
Spouse	288	47.3
Spouse and children	121	19.9
Children	105	17.2
Alone	92	15.1
Relative	3	0.5
Do their children visit? (n = 408)
Yes	365	89.5
No	43	10.5
Frequency of visits by children (n = 356)
Every day	78	21.9
1 to 3 times a week	111	31.2
1 to 3 times a month	87	24.4
1 to 3 times a year	80	22.5
Do their friends visit? (n = 609)
Yes	461	75.7
No	148	24.3
Frequency of visits by friends (n = 408)
Every day	71	17.4
1 to 3 times a week	178	43.6
1 to 3 times a month	141	34.6
1 to 3 times a year	18	4.4
The place where the participants spend most of their time (n = 609)^a
House	462	75.8
Coffee houses/club houses	71	11.6
Park	54	8.8
Bazaar	50	8.2
Other	47	7.7
Visual impairment (n = 609)
Yes	450	73.9
No	159	26.1
Hearing impairment (n = 609)
Yes	224	36.8
No	385	63.2
Balance disorder (n = 609)
Yes	312	51.2
No	297	48.8
Sensation disorder (n = 607)
Yes	30	4.9
No	577	95.1
Forgetfulness (n = 609)
Yes	331	54.4
No	278	45.6
Fatigue (n = 609)
Yes	385	63.2
No	224	36.8
Health status (n = 609)
Good	208	34.2
Moderate	338	55.5
Poor	63	10.3
Assistive device used (n = 609)^a
No	226	37.1
Glasses	333	54.6
Walking stick	84	13.8
Hearing aid	23	3.7
Wheelchair	5	0.8
Other	7	1.1
Chronic disease (n = 582)
No	60	10.3
One disease	218	37.5
Two or more diseases	304	52.2
Regular medicine (n = 444)
No	85	19.2
One medication	155	34.9
Two or more medications	204	45.9
Person doing the housework (n = 609)
Self	177	29.1
Other (spouse, children, house servant)	432	70.9
Person cooking the meals (n = 609)
Self	233	38.3
Other (spouse, children, house servant)	376	61.7
Person doing the outside work (n = 609)
Self	284	46.6
Other (spouse, children, house servant)	325	53.4
Person carrying out personal care (n = 609)
Self	577	94.7
Other (spouse, children, house servant)	32	5.3
Status of smoking (n = 609)
No	349	57.3
Quit	188	30.9
Yes	72	11.8
Is there anyone smoking in the house? (n = 581)
No	439	75.6
Yes	142	24.4

More than one option was selected.

Of the participants, 60 (9.9%) had a home accident in the previous month and the most commonly reported type of accident was falling (76.6%). Of the elderly people who had a home accident, eight (13.3%) had another accident (1-4 times) (Table 3). The information about the accident and the accident-related status of the participants are shown in Table 3.

Table 3.

Participants’ Accident Status and the Accident Features.

Characteristic	n	%
Having a home accident during the previous month (n = 609)
Yes	60	9.9
No	549	90.1
Type of accident (n = 60)
Fall	46	76.6
Burn	7	11.7
Sharp object	3	5.0
Bumping—being squeezed	3	5.0
Electric shock	1	1.7
Place of the accident (n = 60)
Room	23	38.3
Garden	10	16.7
Kitchen	9	15.0
In the building	5	8.3
Bathroom-toilet	5	8.3
Corridor	2	3.3
Roof	2	3.3
Balcony	1	1.7
Bedroom	1	1.7
Not remembered	2	3.3
Cause of the accident (n = 60)
Imbalance	15	25.0
Carelessness	14	23.3
Slipping	11	18.3
Dizziness	10	16.7
Hot water/stove	4	6.7
Bumping/cutting	4	6.7
Not remembered	2	3.3
Time of the accident (n = 56)
00.00-05.59	1	1.8
06.00-11.59	13	23.2
12.00-17.59	35	62.5
18.00-23.59	7	12.5
The injured area after the accident (n = 60)
No injury	11	18.3
Lower extremity	19	31.7
Upper extremity	19	31.7
Body	10	16.7
Head	8	13.3
Receiving medical care after the injury (n = 49)
Yes	18	36.8
No	31	63.2
Taking measures in the house after the accident (n = 60)
Yes	9	15.0
No	51	85.0
Having a home accident in the previous year (n = 609)
Yes	101	16.6
No	479	78.7
Not remembered	29	4.8
In which season did the accident occur? (n = 78)
Winter	27	34.6
Spring	18	23.1
Summer	16	20.5
Autumn	17	21.8
Having an accident out of home during the previous month (n = 609)
Yes	32	5.3
No	577	94.7
Type of accident that occurred out of the home (n = 32)
Fall	31	96.9
Fire	1	3.1
Fear of falling (n = 609)
Yes	287	47.1
No	322	52.9

The univariate analyses showed that female and single participants had home accidents more frequently in the previous month. The participants with an education level of high school and university had home accidents less frequently than those with lower education levels. The participants who lived alone or with their children had home accidents more frequently than the other participants did. The frequency of having home accidents was higher among the participants who reported a poor health status, who had visual or hearing impairment or balance disorder, and who used two or more medicines. The participants who stated that their children did not visit them had home accidents more frequently than those who were visited. In addition, the frequency of having home accidents was higher among the participants who did housework and cooked meals by themselves. The researchers found that the participants who had a home accident in the previous month had another accident out of home. The frequency of having a home accident increased with age (Table 4).

Table 4.

Factors Related to Home Accidents During the Previous Month.

Characteristics	Having a home accident in the previous month (n = 609)				p
	Yes (n = 60)		No (n = 549)
	n	%	n	%
Gender (n = 609)
Female	44	14.7	256	85.3	<.001
Male	16	5.2	293	94.8
Education level (n = 609)
Not educated	29	13.7	183	86.3	.031
Primary and middle school	25	9.1	251	90.9
High school and university	6	5.0^a	115	95.0
Marital status (n = 609)
Married	35	7.8	411	92.2	.006
Single	25	15.3	138	84.7
Social security (n = 609)
Yes	51	9.1	509	90.9	.037
No	9	18.4	40	81.6
People they live with (n = 609)
Alone	16	17.4^a	76	82.6	.002
Children	16	15.2^a	89	84.8
Spouse	22	7.6	266	92.4
Others	6	4.8	118	95.2
Do their children visit? (n = 408)
Yes	33	9.0	35	91.0	.049
No	8	18.6	332	81.4
Visual impairment (n = 609)
Yes	53	11.8	397	88.2	.007
No	7	4.4	152	95.6
Hearing impairment (n = 609)
Yes	31	13.8	193	86.2	.012
No	29	7.5	356	92.5
Balance disorder (n = 609)
Yes	42	13.5	270	86.5	.002
No	18	6.1	279	93.9
Health status (n = 609)
Good-moderate	44	8.1	502	91.9	<.001
Poor	16	25.4	47	74.6
Regular medicine (n = 444)
No	7	8.2	78	91.8	.032
One medication	8	5.2	147	94.8
Two or more medications	27	13.2^a	177	86.8
Person doing the housework (n = 609)
Self	25	14.1	152	85.9	.024
Other (spouse, children, house servant)	35	8.1	397	91.9
Person cooking the meals (n = 609)
Self	31	13.3	202	86.7	.024
Other (spouse, children, house servant)	29	7.7	347	92.3
Having an accident out of the home in the previous month (n = 609)
Yes	9	28.1	23	71.9	<.001
No	51	8.8	526	91.2
Fear of falling (n = 609)
Yes	41	14.3	246	85.7	.001
No	19	5.9	303	94.1
Age (n = 609) median	72		70		.048

Characteristic that caused a significant difference.

Individual factors with p value of <.05 were then included in the multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the factors independently associated with home accident (Table 4). Being a woman, having a poor health condition, having a vision defect, living with children, and increase in age were risk factors for home accidents (Tables 5 and 6).

Table 5.

The Relationship Between Home Accidents and Sociodemographic Characteristics Based on Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis.

Characteristic	Odds ratio	95% confidence interval	p value
Gender
Male	1.000
Female	3.057	[1.558, 5.998]	.001
Education level
Not educated	1.515	[0.567, 4.046]	.407
Primary and middle school	1.708	[0.674, 4.326]	.259
High school and university	1.000
Marital status
Married	1.000
Single	1.141	[0.613, 2.124]	.678
Social security
Yes	1.000
No	1.562	[0.670, 3.643]	.302
Age	1.047	[1.001, 1.096]	.048

Table 6.

The Relationship Between Home Accidents and Health Status and Life Styles of Participants Based on Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis.

Characteristic	Odds ratio	95% confidence interval	p value
People they live with
Alone	2.836	[0.990, 8.125]	.052
Children	2.753	[1.004, 7.555]	.049
Spouse	1.835	[0.705, 4.777]	.214
Other	1.000
Visual impairment
Yes	2.317	[1.005, 5.345]	.049
No	1.000
Hearing impairment
Yes	1.431	[0.805, 2.544]	.222
No	1.000
Balance disorder
Yes	1.489	[0.779, 2.845]	.228
No	1.000
Health status
Good-moderate	1.000
Poor	2.754	[1.345, 5.639]	.006
Person doing the housework
Self	1.486	[0.675, 3.268]	.325
Other (spouse, children, house servant)	1.000
Person cooking the meals
Self	1.200	[0.545, 2.642]	.650
Other (spouse, children, house servant)	1.000

Discussion

This study showed that one out of 10 elderly people living in Mersin had a home accident during the previous month. Studies showing the prevalence of home accidents among elderly people in various cities in Turkey assess accidents that occur over different time intervals. No studies have shown the prevalence of home accidents during the previous month in Turkey. The studies investigating 3 months or longer periods have reported the home accidents rates of between 23.7% and 59.4% (Atman et al., 2007; Erkal, 2005; Keskinoğlu, Giray, et al., 2004; Keskinoglu, Picakciefe, et al., 2008; Şahbaz & Tel, 2006; Şahin & Erkal, 2016; Tortumluoğlu et al., 2005). A study by Carter et al. (2000) indicated a higher prevalence (15.3%) of home accidents in the previous month than the prevalence found in the present study (Prato et al., 2017; Rizawati & Mas Ayu, 2008). Both in the present study and in the literature, the incidence of accidents to older people was learned based on self-report. People may not remember the accidents they had in detail due to their advanced age. Therefore, in this study, the researchers carried out a detailed analysis regarding the home accidents that the participants had during the previous month as well as asked the participants if they had an accident in previous years.

Our study was carried out during spring season (March-May). If the study had been done during winter time, we could expect to see more of the falls and burn accidents due to slippery surfaces in garden, lack of light due to shorter day time, uncomfortable to perform functional activities, and wearing thick clothes or footwear in the house or use of the stove to warm up.

In this study, accidents more frequently occurred in living rooms. Atman et al. (2007) reported similar results to those of the present study. Older people spend most of their time in the living room during the day, hence, home accidents are seen more frequently in these places. The second most frequent place of accident was determined as garden. The activities in the garden may cause the elderly to fall or cause a sharp injury. In many studies (Erkal, 2005; Şahin & Erkal, 2016; Tortumluoğlu et al., 2005), most of the household accidents are seen in the kitchen, but in our study, kitchen was identified by taking the third place where accidents occurred.

In the present study, three fourths of the elderly people who had a home accident fell. Previous studies also reported that falling was the most frequently observed type of accident among elderly people who had a home accident (Atman et al., 2007; Erkal, 2005; Keskinoğlu, Giray, et al., 2004; Keskinoglu, Picakciefe, et al., 2008; Şahbaz & Tel, 2006; Tortumluoğlu et al., 2005). The annual rate of falling is 30% to 40% per person among people aged 65 and older who are healthy and live in society, and the frequency of falling increases with age due to physiological and pathological changes (Ambrosea, Paul, & Hausdorff, 2013; Erkal, 2005; Fuller, 2000; Işık, Cankurtaran, Doruk, & Mas, 2006; Keskinoglu, Picakciefe, et al., 2008; Naharcı & Doruk, 2009; Rao, 2005; Romli et al., 2017; WHO, 2007). This study also showed an increased frequency of home accidents with advanced age, as in the literature (Erkal, 2005; Fuller, 2000; Işık et al., 2006; Keskinoglu et al., 2008; Rao, 2005; Romli et al., 2017). Conversely, Romli et al. (2018) showed that age was inversely associated with the number of hazards. The authors state that the younger older people may be at greater risk of falling because they are more active and want to perform more powerful activities.

This study showed that female participants had home accidents 3 times higher than men. Previous studies also report that women had all type of home accidents and fell at home more frequently (Ambrosea et al., 2013; Atman et al., 2007; Erkal, 2005; Işık et al., 2006; Kaymak Karataş & Maral, 2001; Keskinoğlu, Giray, et al., 2004; Keskinoglu, Picakciefe, et al., 2008; Romli et al., 2017; Şahbaz & Tel, 2006; Şahin & Erkal, 2016; Tortumluoğlu et al., 2005). This result is attributed to women spending more time at home than men and performing housework by themselves.

In this study, it was found that the prevalence of home accidents was 2.7 times higher in the participants who lived with children. Some studies indicate the frequency of having accident is higher among participants who live alone (Atman et al., 2007; Keskinoğlu, Giray, et al., 2004; Romli et al., 2017; Şahin & Erkal, 2016). Tortumluoğlu et al. (2005) reported that those who live with their spouse had accidents more frequently. In Turkish society generally, if one of the spouses died, the other survivor lives with their children. Especially the mothers who live with their children may have accidents more frequently as they undertake both housework and other tasks such as looking after their grandchildren.

In the present study, the prevalence of home accidents was 2.7 times higher in people who reported their health status to be poor. Keskinoğlu, Giray, et al. (2004) also indicated a similar result.

Regular participation in moderate physical activity is important for good health and independent living contributing to lowering risk of accidents. Exercise can improve balance, mobility, and reaction time (WHO, 2007). Also regular health checks of elderly people and treatment or rehabilitation of the identified problems are important to reducing home accidents.

Previous studies report weakened sensory functions facilitate encounters with environmental hazards for elderly people and increase the risk of an accident (Ambrosea et al., 2013; Fuller, 2000; Naharcı & Doruk, 2009; Ping & Xiaohua, 2012; Rao, 2005; Romli et al., 2017). Romli et al. (2018) reported that impaired vision was associated with an increased number of hazards. Similarly, this study showed that home accidents more frequently occurred among elderly people with visual impairments. Environmental factors in the home play an important role in accidents (such as carpets, articles, or toys thrown on the floor, wearing inappropriate shoes). Failure to arrange the house according to the elderly may increase the risk of accidents. In-house arrangements of the elderly should be done to prevent accidents.

Of the participants who had home accidents, 81.7% reported injuries, but only 36.8% received medical care. Of the participants, 92% had social security. The reason for not visiting any health institution might be that the participants had small injuries that can be treated at home. Previous studies reported that fractures or soft tissue injuries, which can be defined as serious injuries, occurred in 10% to 25% of the elderly people who fell (Naharcı & Doruk, 2009). Atman et al. (2007) indicated that half of the participants did not receive any intervention, and 21.3% visited a health institution or asked for help from health care personnel. Şahin and Erkal (2016) reported that approximately half of the participants who had an accident did not refer to any health institution and 76% healed by themselves. Keskinoğlu, Giray, et al. (2004) indicated that 23.5% of the participants who had accidents visited a health institution.

In conclusion, this study showed that home accidents are an important public health problem for the elderly people living in Mersin. It was found that one out of 10 elderly people living in Mersin city center had at least one home accident, and one out of 20 elderly people had at least one accident outside of the home during the previous month. The participants that were female and participants who lived with children had home accidents more frequently. Also people who reported their health status to be poor and having visual impairment increased the risk of home accidents. In this study, it was determined that the risk of accidents increased with age. Most of the accidents are preventable through increased awareness and improvements in the home environment. Social services should be developed to ensure that work such as cleaning, laundry, dishwashing, cooking, or shopping are done to facilitate elderly people’s daily life, as well as providing home health care and treatment services. Required arrangements should be made to reduce the risk of home accidents considering the chronic diseases and physical incapabilities that develop due to biological aging. It is thought that giving education to the elderly and the people living with them about home accidents and prevention will be useful in reducing accidents.

Footnotes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the family physicians and family health staff working for providing the appropriate environment for conducting the questionnaire. In addition, thanks to Samet Gümüşer, Orhan Yetkin, Ömer Koyuncu, Fazıl Koçaş, Fatih Cemal Tekin, Esra Güzel Ersoy, and Okan Bulgan for their assistance with data collection.

Ethical Approval

Ethical approval and official permission were obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Mersin University (State the number: 2011/44) and Mersin Provincial Directorate of Health.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

ORCID iD

Gulcin Yapici

Author Biographies

Gulcin Yapici has been working in the public health department at Mersin University faculty of Medicine. Her research and teaching focus on environmental health and communicable disease. She is currently an associated editor of Mersin University School of Medicine Lokman Hekim Journal of History of Medicine and Folk Medicine.

Ahmet Öner Kurt is a professor of Mersin University faculty of Medicine, department of Public Health. He is interested in health management and occupational health. He is conducting joint projects with local government regarding healthy cities.

Seva Öner has been working in the public health department at Mersin University since 2002. Her research interests include reproductive health and child health. She works voluntarily in the Child Violence Prevention Network.

Tayyar Şaşmaz is a professor and head of the department of public health at Mersin University Faculty of Medicine. He is interested in prevention of infectious disease, immunization and elderly health.

Resul Buğdaycı is a medical doctor and public health specialist. He has been working as a professor in the public health department at Mersin University faculty of Medicine. He is interested in epidemiology. He gives undergraduate and graduate courses in epidemiology, health effects of disasters and medical education.

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