Abuse to Elders Living with Family in Iran-Tabriz

ABSTRACT: The number of elders is increasing all over the world. Such situations in Iran and other countries necessitate care and attention to them and their related problems. Abuse to elders occurs in different situations. Approximately 2, 000,000 elders suffer from abuse every year that range from neglect to lack of caring and physical harms. Even though, abuse to elders, children, and spouse is rare among Iranian families, no research has been done in this issue. This study aims to investigate abuse to Tabriz citizen elders who live with their families.The present descriptive cross-sectional study carried out on 415 elders who were supported by Tabriz health care centers. Data collection was performed through questioner and check list taken from Howal and Senstok Screening instrument and other related studies that were done in this issue. The validity of questioner was evaluated through content and face validity and its reliability assessed through internal consistency. Descriptive statistic (e.g. distribution of frequency, mean, standard deviation) and interference statistic involving chi-square were performed by spss15 software. Elders suffer from physical, emotional (psychological), and financial abuse 12.3 %, 91% and 14.3 % respectively. Also 29.9% of participants were neglected. The results of analyses significantly indicated that different kinds of abuse were more prevalence among elders who were female, too old, and homeless, none employed, and house keeper with low education and income.Since abuse to elders is prevalence, fundamental arrangement must be done to reduce violent behaviors, and protect them against such ill-treatment. Prevention of violent behaviors in family that includes primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, requires community cooperation, comprehensive and secure planning along with legal guarantees, training and informing to society, and increasing supportive system.