Prevalence of Fear of Falling and Anxiety among the Geriatric People of Bangladesh

Abstract Background: Fear of falling (FOF) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are serious mental health issues affecting older adults, with potential impacts on families and communities. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of FOF and anxiety symptoms among the elderly in Khulna, Bangladesh, and to identify associated factors, highlighting the growing public health concern these conditions pose for the aging population both locally and globally. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 old-age homes in the south-western part of Bangladesh, especially in Khulna, involving 245 individuals aged over 65 years who were selected through convenience sampling. FOF and anxiety were the dependent variables, assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale-7 (cutoff >14) and the GAD-7 scale (cutoff >4), respectively. One-way analysis of variance and Chi-square tests were used to analyze mean differences across sub-groups, while binary logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with increased FOF and GAD. Results: The study found a prevalence of 42.86% for FOF and 78.78% for GAD. FOF was significantly associated with factors like age, religion, economic dependence, income, number of children, religious activity, medical treatment, chronic conditions, and physical loss. GAD was significantly associated with number of children, chronic illness, lack of physical exercise, and physical loss, highlighting key risk factors affecting geriatric mental health in the Khulna region. Conclusion: The study identifies key factors associated with FOF and anxiety among the elderly, underscoring the need for targeted interventions by healthcare providers and caregivers to improve well-being and provide essential support during this vulnerable stage of life.