To explore factors affecting the use of public transportation among older adults in Singapore and examine the associations and patterns related to safety awareness and fall prevention.
A cross-sectional study was conducted across eight Active Ageing Centres in Singapore. 199 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and above with normal cognitive function participated in a face-to-face, 20-30-minute online survey using the Qualtrics software. Standard descriptive statistics characterized the collected data, and Spearman’s Rank correlation coefficient was utilized to determine the correlation between two variables. Data were analyzed through chi-square analysis via IBM® SPSS® Statistics 29 statistical software. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05, and the effect size measures used were Phi’s coefficient and Cramer’s V.
The study found that 93.5% of participants considered grab poles very useful, 56.8% found handrails very useful, and 89.4% viewed priority seats as very useful. Additionally, 96.5% of participants were very likely to use these safety features, with 54.8% citing safety as the primary reason. There was a strong positive correlation between the likelihood of using safety features and the perception of their usefulness: grab poles (rs = 0.307; p .001), handrails (rs = 0.240; p .001), and priority seats (rs = 0.221; p = 0.002). Factors significantly associated with the duration of the journey on public transport included past medical history (p = 0.012) and mobility status (p = 0.05). The number of public transportation purposes was significantly associated with mobility status (p = 0.03) and fall history (p = 0.048), while the types of purposes were associated with race (p = 0.015) and fall history (p = 0.003).
The study underscores the critical importance of safety features such as grab poles, handrails, and priority seats in enhancing safety and fall prevention for older adults using public transportation in Singapore. The strong positive correlation between the likelihood of using these safety features and their perceived usefulness highlights the need for maintaining and promoting these features. Additionally, factors such as past medical history, mobility status, and fall history significantly influence the duration and purposes of public transportation use among older adults. These findings suggest that targeted interventions, including driver education programs and public awareness campaigns, are essential to improve the safety and accessibility of public transportation for older adults. By addressing the unique needs of this population, we can support their mobility, independence, and overall well-being, ultimately creating a safer and more inclusive public transportation system for everyone.
1. Awareness of safety features on public transportation is crucial for fall prevention and ensuring safety.
2. Physiotherapists can use these findings to design personalized exercise programs that address specific mobility challenges, improving older adults' confidence and safety when using public transportation.
Fall prevention
Pulic transportation
