LAUSR

Recent studies on barriers and facilitators to implementation of falls prevention education interventions (FPEIs) are conducted in the developed countries. Hence, the findings may limit its transferability when implementing FPEI for elderlies in countries of different culture and healthcare systems. This study explored barriers and facilitators which have impacted the elderlies who have attended a locally developed FPEI. A qualitative methodology was adopted. Seventeen individuals aged 60 years and over with at least one fall in the preceding 12 months and have attended FPEI were recruited. Three focus group discussions were conducted at the Primary Care Clinic, University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur. With the aid of a semi-structured interview guide, interviews were conducted immediately after attending the FPEI. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic approach using the Weft QDA software. Participants were predominantly females (n=12) in their mid-70s, consisting of seven Indians, four Malays and six Chinese. Five themes emerged, and they were the accessibility of the infrastructures, favorable timing, the involvement of interprofessional, FPEI content, and stretching and balance exercises. The FPEI attendees interviewed did not prefer the venue which was located far from the hospital entrance, some claimed that the FPEI should be held together with their hospital consultation visit, while others felt that the involvement of interprofessional improved their engagement with the FPEI. Some elderlies felt that the information on falls risks, falls preventions, and stretching and balance exercises informed by the FPEI imparted new knowledge; however, others perceived that they already undertake strenuous exercises. When implementing FPEI, it is crucial to consider the elderlies’ logistics and the existence of falls knowledge particularly in developing countries such as Malaysia where concepts of FPEI are still novel.