Elder Abuse - A Study of Two Socio-Economic Groups (Turkey)

Dokuz Eylul University,
School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Izmir, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the prevalence and risk factors of elder abuse in elderly population in two different districts in Izmir, Turkey.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 497 subjects selected by cluster sampling.
RESULTS:

Low Socio-economic Status: Physical Abuse = 1/5% Elder Neglect = 27.4%
Financial Abuse = 2.5%

High Socio-economic Status: Physical Abuse = 2% Elder Neglect = 11.2%
Financial Abuse = 0.3%

Elder Neglect
Prevalence of neglect was associated with infrequent contact with relatives, little or no income, and fewer years of education among the elderly in the low socioeconomic district. In the high socioeconomic district, neglect was associated with fewer years in education, poor health status and having chronic status.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of abuse among the elderly living in the two different districts was low. However, nearly one-fifth of elderly people were exposed to neglect.

SOURCE