The Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Socio-Cultural Factors Affecting it in the Elderly Covered by Tabriz Health Centers in 1396-97

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of elder abuse and its socio-cultural factors in elderly people covered by Tabriz health centers in 1396-97. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study that was conducted on 330 elderly people in Tabriz. For each sample, a demographic questionnaire and a family abuse elderly questionnaire including 49 items in eight subscales - consistent of caring neglect, psychological abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse, disqualification, rejection, financial and emotional neglect- in a private face-to-face interview with the elderly was completed by the researcher. Results: 54.5% of the samples were female. 74.5% of the elderly lived with their spouse, 12.8% with their children, 11.8% were alone and 1% lived with their relatives and friends. The highest frequency of abuse related to neglect: 319 (96.81%) followed by psychological abuse: 47 (14%), physical abuse: 26 (7.72%), financial abuse: 24 ( 27.7%), disqualification: 17 (5%), emotional neglect: 17 (5%), rejection: 11 (3.18%) and financial neglect: 33 (1%). Emotional neglect was higher in females than males (p = 0.012). Financial neglect decreased with increasing educational attainment (p = 0.017). Single elderly were more likely to be rejected (p = 0.047), disenfranchised (p = 0.006) and financial neglected (p = 0.046) than married, divorced and widowed.