The Effect of a Self-Efficacy Enhancement Program on Fall Prevention Behaviors among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Pathum Thani Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study employed a two-group, pretest-posttest design to investigate the effects of a self-efficacy enhancement program on fall prevention behaviors among older adults in Rahaeng Subdistrict, Lat Lum Kaeo District, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The sample was comprised of 50 community-dwelling elderly individuals at risk of falling, as determined by a Timed Up and Go Test score of 12 seconds or more. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the comparison group, with 25 individuals in each group. The experimental group participated in a 6-week self-efficacy enhancement program based on Bandura’s theory. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a fall prevention behavior questionnaire. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and independent t-tests.

The results of the research found that after participation, the experimental group had a higher mean score for fall prevention behaviors than before the experiment (X=38.88, S.D.=2.71) and after the experiment (X=43.76, S.D.=2.14) (95% CI=11.46-12.87) with statistical significance at the .01 level (t₂₄=10.53, p-value<.01). Additionally, the mean score for fall prevention behaviors after the experiment among the experimental group was higher than in the comparison group (experimental group (X=43.76, S.D.=2.14) and comparison group (X=41.20, S.D.=4.54) (95% CI=11.46-12.87)) with a statistical significance at the .01 level (t₄₈=2.68, p-value<.01). These findings indicate that elderly individuals at risk of falling who participated in the program demonstrated significant improvements in fall prevention behaviors. The program can therefore serve as a model for promoting fall prevention behaviors in other community settings.