Factors Associated with the Risk of Accident Occurrences Among Elderly People Using Public Restrooms in Urban Public Parks, Chonburi

Abstract

Accidents in public toilets represent a significant health concern that severely impacts the well-being of the elderly, particularly in urban areas. This cross-sectional analytical research aimed to investigate factors associated with the risk of accidents among elderly individuals using public toilets in urban parks in Chonburi Province. The sample consisted of 390 elderly participants selected through computer-based simple random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.71-0.88. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test). The results showed that the majority of participants were female (61.28%), and aged less than 75 years (75.13%). Within the past six months, 36.15% of participants had experienced an accident, with bruising being the most common injury (12.31%). Regarding risky behaviors, using the toilet while the floor was wet was the most prevalent (76.67%), and 32.10% reported environmental issues related to unready or poorly maintained facilities. Statistical analysis revealed that age, visual impairment, muscle weakness, the behavior of squatting on the toilet seat, and the cleanliness of the public toilet environment were significantly associated with accident risk at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicate that accident risks stem from both individual and environmental factors. Therefore, relevant authorities should prioritize improving cleanliness standards, installing standardized anti-slip materials, and promoting safe toilet usage behaviors to mitigate risks and enhance the safety of the elderly in urban areas.