The prevalence of elder abuse and associated factors among the elderly in Kashan city, Iran

Elder abuse is among the major social health problems in today`s communities, and has significant effect on decreasing the health and security level in this group. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of abuse among the elderly in Kashan, Iran.

This cross sectional study was conducted on 500 people over 60 years old in Kashan, Iran in 2014. Subjects were randomly selected from 10 healthcare centers of Kashan. Data were collected using elder abuse questionnaire. Cronbach alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was determined as 0.975. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13. Pearson correlation coefficient and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. The statistically significant level was P<0.05.

Results of the current study showed that 80% of subjects have experienced at least one type of abuse during the last year. The highest rate of abuse was in the form of financial abuse (45.6%), and the lowest was in ostracizing (16.6%). There was a statistical significant relationship between the elder abuse and variables such as sex, age, number of children, marital status, living arrangement, residential situation, home properties, monthly income, insurance situation, illness history, walking ability and using mobility aids. Logistic regression analysis also showed significant relationship between the elder abuse and unemployment, living in an apartment, and the age range 71-80 years.

Considering the high prevalence of abuse among the elderly, clarification of this phenomenon is considered as one of the main priorities, which can be achieved only through multidisciplinary approach in the community, and needs cooperation and collaboration of all community members.