FALL RISK IN SCHIZOPHRENIA INPATIENTS AT DA NANG PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
Keywords:
Schizophrenia, falls, fall risk, JHFRATAbstract
Objective: To determine the risk of falls and related factors in inpatients with schizophrenia at Da Nang City Psychiatric Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 inpatients with schizophrenia from April to September 2025. Data on demographics, medical history, fall history, and medication use were collected. Fall risk was assessed using the Johns Hopkins Fall Risk Assessment Tool (JHFRAT). Data were coded and analyzed using SPSS, with Chi-square test applied at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The mean JHFRAT score was 5.7 ± 2.3. Low fall risk accounted for 81.5%, moderate 16.0%, and high 2.5%. Fall risk was significant with age ≥60, female gender, history of falls, presence of medical comorbidities, and use of multiple medications (p<0.05). Other factors such as disease duration, number of treatments, and anthropometric characteristics were not significantly associated. Conclusion: Most inpatients with schizophrenia have low fall risk. However, older patients, females, those with a history of falls, medical comorbidities, and multiple medication use need to be under close monitoring and preventive interventions. JHFRAT is a useful tool for screening fall risk in this group.
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