title: Can an active aging index (AAI) provide insight into reducing elder abuse? A case study in Rajshahi District, Bangladesh.
abstract: We use data from respondents aged 60 years and above, collected during April 2009 in the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh, to examine whether high activeness, as captured by an AAI or in sub-domains, can help reduce the risk of elder abuse. The findings suggest that more than half of rural elderly and 14 percent of urban elderly were at some point abused. High activeness in health and security dimensions lowers the risk of being abused while those who are low active in community participation have the lowest risk of being abused in both rural and urban areas. Being literate (elderly with primary/secondary education) is revealed to be a significant factor that lowers the risk of abuse in both rural and urban areas. These results imply a need for educational programs that bolster positive and proper community interaction, in turn promoting a secure later life for elders, and reducing burden for families and society. High activeness in health and security dimensions should also be promoted to keep the elderly healthy and protect from abusive behavior.
authors: Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh. Electronic address: tareque_pshd@yahoo.com.
authors: Md Ismail
authors: MI
authors: Tareque
authors: Sapporo Community Health Service and Department of Dental Public Health, Sapporo Dental College & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors: Md Munsur
authors: MM
authors: Ahmed
authors: Center on Aging, NORC at the University of Chicago, 1155 East 60th Street, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60637-2745, USA.
authors: Andrew D
authors: AD
authors: Tiedt
authors: Department of Demography and Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78207-4415, USA.
authors: Nazrul
authors: N
authors: Hoque
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001459:Bangladesh; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Active aging index; Bangladesh; Elder abuse