Factors associated with the self-awareness of fall risk among older patients with osteoporosis: a cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the current status and influencing factors of self-awareness of fall risk among older patients with osteoporosis, and to provide a reference for developing evidence based fall prevention intervention strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted. A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit older patients with osteoporosis from the osteoporosis departments of two campuses of a tertiary orthopaedic hospital in Henan Province from April to July 2026. Data were collected using a General Information Questionnaire, the Self-Awareness of Falls in Elderly Scale, the Barthel Index Scale, the Tilburg Frailty Indicator Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Perceived Social Support Scale. A total of 294 valid questionnaires were retrieved, yielding an effective response rate of 97.35%. The mean score of self-awareness of fall risk in older patients with osteoporosis was 64.53 ± 9.24. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age, gender, marital status, average monthly household income, living alone, fall prevention education, barthel index, depression and perceived social support were significant influencing factors (all p  < 0.05), collectively explaining 42.0% of the total variance. Self-awareness of fall risk in older patients with osteoporosis varied across different dimensions and was influenced by a combination of multiple interrelated factors. Clinical nurses may implement targeted fall prevention interventions based on these factors to reduce the occurrence of fall related injuries.