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INTRODUCTION: The global rise in the elderly population brings attention to the pressing issue of elder abuse, categorized into physical, psychological, neglect, financial and sexual abuse. According to the WHO (2022), 1 in 6 individuals aged 60 and older has experienced some form of abuse in community setting necessitating increase awareness and support for older people.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess abuse and its associated factors among elderly population of Kamalamai Municipality of Sindhuli District.
METHODOLOGY: A community-based cross-sectional study, employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches, was conducted from May to October 2023. The study included 398 elderly respondents (≥60 years) for quantitative study utilizing stratified sampling techniques. Qualitative study included two key informant interviews and one in-depth interview along with two focus group discussions were conducted using purposive sampling technique. Quantitative Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5 with bivariate and binary logistic regression analysis were performed at 95% confidence interval. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS: The mean age of the elderly respondents was 70.88 years, with 64.1% respondents reporting experiencing some form of abuse. Neglect (46.0%), psychological abuse (42.5%), and financial abuse (24.4%) were most common while physical abuse (4.8%) and sexual abuse (2.8%) were less common. statistically significant Associations were found between abuse and family types and socio-economic status.
Qualitative findings revealed mistreatment, vulnerability, negligence, economic factors, family dynamics, loneliness, financial exploitation, food withholding, physical abuse, and emotional attachment as key aspects.
CONCLUSION: The study highlights neglect and psychological abuse was the most common forms of elder abuse. These findings emphasize the urgency of implementing programs at the municipal level aimed at controlling and reducing the incidence of such abuse targeting both elder individuals and their caretakers to ensure comprehensive well-being.
KEY WORDS: Elderly individuals, Abuse
