Abstract:

The objectives of this study were 2-fold: to describe the prevalence of specific structural modifications in the homes of wheelchair users in the community and to examine the relationship between home modifications and the occurrence of injurious falls. All individuals in the study completed the 1994-1995 National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement and, 6 to 18 months later, the Disability Follow-Back Survey.3 In total, 525 respondents met the study selection criteria of being 18 years and older and noninstitutionalized and having reported wheelchair use in both surveys. Fall status and injury status were based on self-report of incidents occurring within the 12 months preceding the second survey. Overall, 37.9% of wheelchair users fell at least once in the past 12 months, and 17.7% suffered a fall-related injury (46.7% of fallers).