Alsaleh Hadeel, Drahota Amy K, Udell Julie
Department of Physiotherapy, Alrazi Orthopedic Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City.
School of Dental, Health & Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, UK.
J Frailty Sarcopenia Falls. 2025 Jun 1;10(2):62-77. doi: 10.22540/JFSF-10-062. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Despite global guidelines and evidence, fall prevention services in Kuwait are limited. This study sought to understand older people's perspectives towards falls and falls prevention within the context of limited fall prevention services.
Qualitative interviews explored the perceptions of falls and fall prevention among Kuwaiti older people (50+ years) and their caregivers (N=16).
Falls prevention was an unfamiliar issue; participants' knowledge of falls came from personal and others' experiences, which motivated individuals to eliminate what they perceived as risk factors, but gaps in understanding remained (theme 1). Older people were found to have positive attitudes towards preventing falls, and beliefs around fate and autonomy towards falls prevention were found to independently co-exist (theme 2). Attitudes towards falls prevention were shaped by simplified understanding and concerns about falling (theme 3). Social networks were important in older people's lives, and valuable sources of support and influence were identified (theme 4). A new concept of 'circular care benefits' was developed, contributing an understanding that caring for others helps build subjective norms.
The interview findings contribute to the Theory of Planned Behaviour in the context of falls prevention, with further contribution to the understanding of co-existing beliefs and 'subjective norms'.
尽管有全球指南和相关证据，但科威特的跌倒预防服务仍很有限。本研究旨在了解在跌倒预防服务有限的背景下，老年人对跌倒及跌倒预防的看法。
通过定性访谈探讨了科威特老年人（50岁及以上）及其照顾者（N = 16）对跌倒及跌倒预防的认知。
跌倒预防是一个不为人熟悉的问题；参与者对跌倒的了解来自个人及他人的经历，这促使他们消除自己认为的风险因素，但在认知上仍存在差距（主题1）。研究发现老年人对预防跌倒持积极态度，并且发现关于命运和预防跌倒自主性的信念相互独立并存（主题2）。对跌倒预防的态度受到简单认知和对跌倒担忧的影响（主题3）。社交网络在老年人生活中很重要，并且确定了有价值的支持和影响来源（主题4）。提出了“循环护理益处”这一新概念，有助于理解照顾他人有助于建立主观规范。
访谈结果有助于在跌倒预防背景下完善计划行为理论，进一步有助于理解并存的信念和“主观规范”。
