PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF OLDER ADULTS MISTREATMENT IN BHARATPUR, CHITWAN

Abstract

Background: Older adults mistreatment is an important public health issue in both developed and developing countries. It has a significant impact on the physical and mental health of the older population. Hence, this study aimed to find out the prevalence and associated factors of older adults mistreatment in Bharatpur, Chitwan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was used among 160 older adults aged 60 years and above admitted in medical and surgical wards of Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the desired sample. The data were collected using a structured interview schedule. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23 and interpreted in terms of descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, and median) and inferential statistics (chi-square test).

Results: Findings revealed that the median age of the older adult was 70 years where 57.5% were male, Brahmin (45%), and Hindu (79.4%). The prevalence of older adults mistreatment was 41.3%; among them, the most common types of self-reported mistreatment were psychological mistreatment (74.2%), financial mistreatment (59.1%), and neglect (59.1%), respectively. Educational status, occupation, depression, dependency level, old age allowance, chronic illness, and hearing abuse had statistically significant association with older adults mistreatment.

Conclusions: This study shows that older adults mistreatment is quite high, with psychological, neglect, and financial mistreatment being the most common. Thus, an awareness program for the elderly and caregivers is necessary for the prevention and management of older adults mistreatment and the wellbeing of the elderly by concerned authorities.