AIM: To determine the influence of psychosocial factors and health-seeking behaviour on the risk of falling among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS: This prospective study included community-dwelling adults aged ≥55 years selected through stratified random sampling from three neighbouring parliamentary constituencies. Data was collected at baseline in 2013-2015 with computer-assisted home-based interviews and follow-up in 2019 via telephone interviews.

RESULTS: Data on diabetes status and falls were available for 908 participants at baseline and follow-up. Diabetes was present in 42.2% of included participants at follow-up, of whom 22.8% at baseline and 25.3% at 5-year follow-up had at least one fall within the last 12 months. Diabetics had a higher risk of falls at baseline (OR: 1.484; 95% CI: 1.060-2.077) and follow-up (OR: 1.424; 95% Cl: 1.038-1.954) than non-diabetics. It was found that female gender, arthritis, alcohol and presence of depression anxiety or stress were associated with increased risk of falls in diabetics. The presence of any depression, anxiety or stress remained significantly associated with falls in diabetics (OR: 1.947; 95% Cl: 1.115-3.402) after adjustments for age, gender, ethnicity, and education but this relationship was attenuated after additional adjustment for arthritis (OR: 1.763; 95% CI: 0.996-3.122).