Elder abuse and its association with socio-demographic variables in India

Abstract

Introduction

Elder abuse (abuse/violence/neglect or disrespect as defined by BKPAI data) among elderly is a deserted and overlooked issue especially in developing countries including India.

Aim

To assess the elder abuse and its association with socio-demographic factors among elderly population.

Materials and Methods

This study comprises data from BKPAI 2011. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis have been used for the following study.

Results

A total of 9852 elderly people were included in this study which was carried out in seven states of India. The mean age of the study subjects was 68.04 ± 7.29 years. Among 9852 elderly people 10% (987) were faced elder abuse. In unadjusted odd-ratio the status of elder abuse was found statistically significant with state, type of residence, sex, age group, caste, education, marital status, migration status, occupation, health condition and economic dependency etc. But in binary logistic regression analysis state, type of residence, sex, education, caste and their migration status were found statistically significant with elder abuse.

Conclusion

From the result of this study, the existence of “violence”, “neglect”, and “disrespect” within the society and community is approved. The problems of abuse among older persons were more mental than physical and elderly at getting older, without partner, with bad health condition, having less money or with no security are on more risk of getting abused.