Introduction: Falls are more common at older adults, because they have a number of factors that are associated with a higher risk of falls. Falls are often the cause of injuries, but they are also often overlooked. The STEADI 12Q questionnaire is used to assess fall risk. The National institute of public health Slovenia translated the questionnaire and implemented it in primary care as a fall risk assessment in the home environment. Purpose: The aim of research was to evaluate Slovenian translation of the longer version of the questionnaire STEADI 12Q or to explore its measurement properties. Additionally, we wanted to assess the appropriateness of its use in an algorithm for detecting fall risk factors. Methods: We used a sample of 70 older adults living in their home environment (mean age was 73,71 years). Each participant completed the STEADI 12Q questionnaire, a health status questionnaire, and a questionnaire regarding the properties of the STEADI 12Q questionnaire intended for participants. The properties of the STEADI 12Q questionnaire were evaluated by 10 evaluators. A statistical analysis was used to evaluate the understandability, simplicity, time acceptability, conciseness, and usability of the questionnaire, and then its measurement properties (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, concurrent validity and reliability). Results: The statistical analysis showed that the Slovenian translation of the STEADI 12Q questionnaire has high sensitivity (78 %), specificity (89 %), accuracy (87 %) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0,96, and the intraclass correlation coefficient = 0,959). There is a moderate to high correlation between the results of the STEADI 12Q questionnaire and the results of the TUG test (Spearman's correlation coefficient ρ = 0.606) confirmed that the STEADI 12Q questionnaire is a valid method for determining the risk of falls in the elderly. Participants and evaluators rated the understandability, simplicity, time acceptability, conciseness, and usability of the STEADI 12Q questionnaire highly (at least 80 % of them gave a rating of 4 or 5 for each property). We also found that the outcomes of the STEADI 12Q questionnaire were influenced by the participant’s age (p=0.011), their subjective health status rating (p=0.001), and the use of a walking aid (p≤0.001), while the participant's sex did not have statistically significant effect (p=0.591). Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the findings, we can conclude that the Slovenian translation of the STEADI 12Q questionnaire is suitable for assessing the fall risk in older adults living in their home environment. Considering the constructive feedback made by participants and evaluators, we can improve and upgrade the Slovenian translation of the STEADI 12Q questionnaire.
|