Fall efficacy, gait and postural characteristics of aged retirees in IFE-central LGA of Osun state, Nigeria

Independence in later life hangs by a delicate thread of the ability to move with confidence. For aged retirees, this fundamental pillar of autonomy could be severely threatened by gait, postural disorders and other degenerative diseases due to aging. While clinical focus often rests on managing chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes among this population, a more insidious problem, pervasive deterioration of gait and postural control may deserve further investigation. This cross-sectional study investigated the gait, postural stability, and fear of falling among 300 aged retirees (≥60 years) in Ife-central local government area in Osun State, Nigeria. Participants were assessed using the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) scale, the Postural Instability and Gait Difficulty (PIGD) scale, and Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), questionnaire. Results revealed a mean FGA score of 20.01±5.82, indicating moderate gait impairment, with 36.3% of participants classified as having poor gait. Postural instability was widespread, with nearly 60% exhibiting abnormal PIGD scores. A significant 60% of retirees reported moderate-to-high fear of falling. Strong negative correlation was found between FGA and FES (r=-0.52, p