Hülya Kulakçı Altıntas1, Gülbahar Korkmaz Aslan2. 1. Department of Nursing, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Faculty of Health Sciences, Zonguldak, Turkey. 2. Department of Nursing, Pamukkale University Faculty of Health Sciences, Denizli, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of elder abuse among community-dwelling older adults and its associated risk factors. METHODS: The sample in this cross-sectional study consisted of 691 older adults. Data were collected with an elder abuse and neglect assessment form, which had been prepared by the researchers in accordance with the literature. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to subtypes of elder abuse. RESULTS: In this study, 13.6% of the elderly subjects (n = 94) were exposed to at least one instance of abusive behaviour within the last year; emotional abuse was the most frequently occurring type of abuse. Risk factors for abuse were being 75 years old or older (odds ratio (OR) = 1.993, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.105-3.592), being illiterate (OR = 4.863, 95%CI: 2.809-8.417), lack of own income (OR = 2.189, 95%CI: 1.179-4.064), having bad family relationships (OR = 20.564, 95%CI: 5.453-77.554), and lack of own home (OR = 3.945,; 95%CI: 1.167-13.330). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that abuse was an important problem for the elderly population. Therefore, elderly individuals, especially those who are 75 years old or older, have a low education level, lack their own home, and lack their own income, should be evaluated for abuse.
BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of elder abuse among community-dwelling older adults and its associated risk factors. METHODS: The sample in this cross-sectional study consisted of 691 older adults. Data were collected with an elder abuse and neglect assessment form, which had been prepared by the researchers in accordance with the literature. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to subtypes of elder abuse. RESULTS: In this study, 13.6% of the elderly subjects (n = 94) were exposed to at least one instance of abusive behaviour within the last year; emotional abuse was the most frequently occurring type of abuse. Risk factors for abuse were being 75 years old or older (odds ratio (OR) = 1.993, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.105-3.592), being illiterate (OR = 4.863, 95%CI: 2.809-8.417), lack of own income (OR = 2.189, 95%CI: 1.179-4.064), having bad family relationships (OR = 20.564, 95%CI: 5.453-77.554), and lack of own home (OR = 3.945,; 95%CI: 1.167-13.330). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that abuse was an important problem for the elderly population. Therefore, elderly individuals, especially those who are 75 years old or older, have a low education level, lack their own home, and lack their own income, should be evaluated for abuse.
Authors: Anne Nobels; Christophe Vandeviver; Marie Beaulieu; Adina Cismaru Inescu; Laurent Nisen; Nele Van Den Noortgate; Tom Vander Beken; Gilbert Lemmens; Ines Keygnaert Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-06-09 Impact factor: 3.390