Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward falls in older adults among healthcare and medical undergraduates in Malaysia. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 135 participants by distributing the questionnaire through online social media platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram. The questionnaires used include the Fall Knowledge Test, Question About Knowledge [fall risk assessment], Fall Risk Awareness Questionnaire, and Attitudes toward Fall Prevention. Results: The results showed high levels of knowledge, awareness, and good attitudes among the undergraduates. In addition, it was found that students with higher knowledge and awareness of falls had a more positive attitude toward older adults. On the other hand, we found that there were associations between low knowledge of fall prevention with ethnicity in which non-Chinese showed poorer knowledge. In addition, being at 1st and 2nd year of study, and being non-Chinese were associated with low awareness, and non-physiotherapy and not having a syllabus related to fall prevention and risk factors were associated with a poor attitude. In conclusion knowledge, awareness and a good attitude are crucial to ensure the undergraduate is more aware of the danger and risk of falls while handling patients in the future as well as to ensure the patient's safety and quality treatment.
Author Bio(s)
Firdaus Mohamad Tahir is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Sumaiyah Mat is Lecturer of Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Physiotherapy Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Nurul Anis Sabrina Mohd Nadzir is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Nur Afeeqah Azmi is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Nurul Izzati Abdul Mun’em is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Edmund Sean Ong is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Dhayaarschynee Sugumaran is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Mohd Ridhwan Md Nadzri is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Siti Khadijah Anuar is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Chow Pei Yun is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Teh Shu Chin is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Teh Shu Chin is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Anis Shahira Saadon is Student of Physiotherapy Program, Faculty Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Nor Azlin Mohd Nordin is Lecturer of Centre for Rehabilitation and Specials Needs Studies, Physiotherapy Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Normala Mesbah is Lecturer of Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Physiotherapy Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Deepashini Harithasan is Lecturer of Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Physiotherapy Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Nor Azura Azmi is Lecturer of Centre for Rehabilitation and Specials Needs Studies, Physiotherapy Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Asfarina Zanudin is Lecturer of Centre for Rehabilitation and Specials Needs Studies, Physiotherapy Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh is Lecturer of Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Physiotherapy Programme, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Recommended Citation
Mohamad Tahir F, Mat S, Mohd Nadzir N, Azmi N, Abdul Mun’em N, Ong E, Sugumaran D, Md NadzrI M, Anuar S, Chow P, Lee S, Teh S, Saadon A, Mohd Nordin N, Mesbah N, Harithasan D, Azmi N, Zanudin A, Ajit Singh D. Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude on Falls in Older Adults : A Survey Among Healthcare and Medical Undergraduates in Malaysia. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice.
2025 Jan 17;23(1), Article 12.
