Gender as Individual Risk Factor for Elderly Abuse: Findings from First National Prevalence Study in Macedonia

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Â National prevalence study of elderly abuse in Macedonia intended to explore prevalence and risk factors of elder abuse and neglect. Â This paper is focused on influence of the gender as individual risk factor, according to ecological model, on elderly abuse and neglect.METHODS: Culturally validated questionnaire and Geriatric Depression scale was used for data collection. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test, was used for sample selection. Cutting score was 20. The research was conducted through face-to-face interviews on the sample of 960 respondents aged 65 and over.RESULTS:Â Evidenced were 32% abused and neglected from representative sample, living in private households, 19% of abused was female. In Macedonian study women are 1.6 times often victims of abuse than man. Only female respondents reported sexual abuse.CONCLUSION: Being female is risk factor for being exposed on any type of abuse and neglect, excluding financial abuse.