Effect Of Multimedia-Based Health Education Program on Fall Prevention Awareness Behaviour Among Older Adults Attending Primary Care Clinics in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Falls among the elderly are becoming a major public health issue, often with serious consequences. Due to its usefulness, a rising number of academics advise employing multimedia-based tools such as PowerPoint slide presentations, audio, and graphics to educate people of all ages’ older adults.

The investigation was conducted using a quasi-experimental design. Using the Power formula, 60 participants were selected among older persons who attended two tertiary hospitals in Ekiti State. The Experimental Group (EG) and Control Group (CG) each contained 30 participants. Both groups received different forms intervention twice a week for six weeks. Data were collected using a standardized and validated questionnaire including the Fall Awareness Behavior (FaB) scale.

There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in mean fall awareness behavior scores between the two groups at pre-intervention stage: EG (70.5 ± 12.4) and CG (73.7 ± 8.6). The mean FaB scores for CG did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between pre-intervention (73.7±8.7) and 12th-week follow-up (74.3±10.0). However, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean FaB scores for EG between pre-intervention (70.5±12.4) and at the 12th-week follow-up (89.2±21.9). At the 12-week follow-up, the EG had a substantial Effect Size (-1.1, 95% confidence interval: -1.6 to -0.5).     

In summary, the multimedia-based health education intervention program effectively increased the fall awareness behavior of older adults in Ekiti State, Nigeria. We suggested using multimedia tools, such as electronic and social media, to teach older persons about fall prevention strategies.