The prevalence and risk factors related to falls during pregnancy.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bhattacharya, Amit ; Dunning K ; LeMasters G ; Levin L
• Description:
  Introduction: Although falls during pregnancy are a common cause of injury, there is minimal information regarding risk factors. During pregnancy, physiological changes occur that increase the risk for falls such as weight gain, loosening of ligaments resulting in joint laxity, swelling, and mechanical loading changes. At this time, there is no surveillance system for the pregnant worker and, therefore, little is known about their injuries. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence rate and risk factors of falls during pregnancy. Methods: A questionnaire was designed to determine pregnancy fall rate, injuries and medical attention, and risk factors. In order to capture a larger portion of the sample, two methods of questionnaire administration were utilized that include a 15 minute telephone interview and a four page mail survey. In partnership with the Hamilton County General Health District and the Cincinnati Health Department, 700 recent new mothers were identified from their child.s birth certificate. Results: To date, the participation rate is 61.2% (n=429) including 222 by telephone and 207 by mail. Most women, 76.4% (n=328) were employed during pregnancy and of those employed, the fall rate at work was 6.4% (21/328). Overall, 23.8% (102/429) of women reported a fall during pregnancy. When asked the location of their most serious fall, 12.7% (13/ 102) described their workplace. The highest number of falls (70%) occurred during 6-8 months of gestation. Of the women who fell, 68.6% (70/102) reported injuries and 37.2% (38/102) sought medical attention. Primary factors that the women related to their falls included stairs, a hurried pace, and walking on a slippery surface. Conclusion: Given that 70% of women over age 20 work during their pregnancy and 6.4% will have a fall while working, there is a need to reduce risks of falls and injuries for this special population.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Air Pollutants, Occupational Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Safety Toxicology
• Keywords:
  Accident-prevention Accident-rates Accident-statistics Accidents Epidemiology Injuries Injury-prevention Pregnancy Statistical-analysis
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  36
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057349
• Citation:
  NOIRS 2003: Abstracts of the National Occupational Injury Research Symposium, October 28-30, 2003, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh, PA: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2003 Oct; :36
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2004
• NORA Priority Area:
  Work Environment and Workforce: Special Populations
• Performing Organization:
  University of Cincinnati, Department of Environmental Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  19990930
• Source Full Name:
  NOIRS 2003: Abstracts of the National Occupational Injury Research Symposium, October 28-30, 2003, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• End Date:
  20030929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:68a3dbe3c9cba3fe3c3453ca44a0adae74ac3e2cef6cb844b67cecbc4d7d4b730d0ba5c6881ba797c59f3b3c716c9e6466df58f3db2f4fd29fdcda0917e39369
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/181814/cdc_181814_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 421.70 KB ]