Elder abuse and neglect in two different socioeconomic districts in 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
The prevalence of physical and financial abuse among the elderly in the district of low socioeconomic status was 1.5% and 2.5%, respectively, while among the elderly in the district of high socioeconomic status, it was 2% and 0.3%, respectively. However, the prevalence of elder neglect in the two districts was 27.4% and 11.2%, respectively. 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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Keskinoglu
Pembe
P
Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Izmir, Turkey. pembe.keskinoglu@gmail.com
Pýcakcýefe
Metin
M
Bilgic
Nurcan
N
Giray
Hatice
H
Karakus
Nuriye
N
Ucku
Reyhan
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology