title: Understanding of elder abuse and neglect among health care professionals in Malaysia: An exploratory survey.
abstract: Elder abuse and neglect (EAN) is a hidden public health challenge for Malaysia. This cross-sectional survey studied the awareness of EAN among 148 doctors and nurses from two neighboring states in Malaysia using a self-administered questionnaire exploring their knowledge, perceptions, practices, and experience concerning EAN. Both doctors and nurses demonstrated poor understanding of signs of EAN and exhibited misperceptions on reporting requirements. Both groups perceived EAN as a national burden and reporting it as their responsibility; but most felt they had not been trained to diagnose it. Many were unsure of procedures and whether their own intervention could be effective. Only four (nurses) of 41 participants who suspected abuse during the past year reported the cases. Targeted education and uniform protocols are mandatory to ensure best practice with regards to EAN. Further research is crucial to extend this inquiry into the broader health care workforce.
authors.affiliation: a Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ayesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: a Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wan-Yuen
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.affiliation: b University of Malaya Primary Care Research Group, Department of Primary Care Medicine , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sajaratulnisah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Othman
authors.affiliation: a Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Noran Naqiah
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Hairi
authors.affiliation: a Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Farizah Mohd
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Hairi
authors.affiliation: b University of Malaya Primary Care Research Group, Department of Primary Care Medicine , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Fadzilah Hanum
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Mohd Mydin
authors.affiliation: a Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Siti Nur
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Illiani Jaafar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Attitudes; Malaysia; elder abuse and neglect; health care workers; knowledge