Financial Abuse Research Articles

Men’s experience of perpetrating intimate partner violence following disclosure of HIV status by their seropositive female intimate partners: a qualitative study

Background Gender-Based (GB) intimate partner violence is a social and public health issue globally. Several risks of violence related to male sexual partners’ perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) following the disclosure of their female intimate partners’ HIV + status have been reported. No research has been conducted on male sexual partner’s perspectives of perpetrating IPV following their female intimate partners’ disclosure of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive status as a risk factor for the perpetration of IPV in Ghana. Objective The objective of this study is to explore and describe male sexual partners’ views or perspectives of perpetrating IPV following their female intimate partners’ disclosure of being HIV positive in Ghana. Methods Interpretive phenomenological approach was used to collect and analyse data from a purposive sample of 18 Male participants whose female intimate relations informed them of being HIV + in Ghana. The sample population was taken from Ghana because such research has been reported elsewhere but none has been done in Ghana. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect the data. The interview guide covered topics such as background information, participants’ reaction to HIV positive disclosure, lived experiences of participants, and Participants’ understanding of different forms of IPV. Results The findings of this study reveal five main themes that emerged from the interviews which include views on the perpetration of emotional, psychological, and verbal abuse; views on the perpetration of sexual deprivation; views on the perpetration of social isolation; views on the perpetration of financial abuse and views on escalated perpetration of physical abuse. Conclusion From the data, HIV positive status disclosure served as a risk factor for different forms of GB IPV against HIV positive women in Ghana, thus making this group more vulnerable and exposed to more GB IPV. Strategies to prevent the perpetration of IPV against women newly diagnosed as HIV positive are needed. We recommend screening all newly diagnosed HIV-positive women for abuse as an additional prevention strategy for IPV associated with disclosure of positive HIV status. KEY MESSAGES HIV positive status disclosure serves as a risk for the perpetration of IPV. Men are predisposed to violence upon hearing that their female heterosexual intimate partners are HIV positive. HIV infection information is distressful to receive from an intimate partner.

IPV Experiences and Financial Strain Over Time: Insights from the Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition Analysis.

Financial strain is one hardship faced by female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) that is often overlooked. This paper examined the relationships between multiple forms of abuse—with a focus on economic abuse—and financial strain. Guided by stress process model, this study tested two hypotheses: (1) economic abuse is associated with financial strain more than other types of IPV; and (2) decreased economic abuse relates to financial strain over time. The study sample consists of 229 female IPV survivors who participated in a longitudinal, randomized controlled study evaluating an economic empowerment curriculum. Results from regression models suggest that physical abuse and economic abuse were significantly and positively associated with the magnitude of financial strain. Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition was used to partition the mean differences of financial strain over time that was mainly attributed to the decrease in economic and physical abuse (78%). Particularly, the decrease of economic abuse contributed to over half (58%) of the decrease in financial strain over time. Advocates should assess survivors’ risk of economic abuse, evaluate financial strain, and utilize financial safety planning skills to help survivors build economic security and independence. In addition, policy makers should address issues concerning economic security among female IPV survivors.

Structural and Psychosocial Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HIV Care and Treatment Outcomes Among Female Sex Workers in the Dominican Republic.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated socioeconomic disruptions have disproportionally affected marginalized populations, including people living with HIV. Little is known about how the pandemic has affected populations experiencing multiple forms of stigma, discrimination, and violence, such as female sex workers (FSW) living with HIV. We conducted a cross-sectional survey between August and December 2020 among 187 FSW living with HIV in the Dominican Republic to examine the impact of COVID-19. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined associations between COVID-19-related financial concerns, mental health, substance use, and partner abuse on engagement in HIV care and antiretroviral therapy adherence. We conducted mediation analysis to assess whether mental health challenges mediated the impact of partner abuse or substance use on HIV outcomes. Most participants reported no income (72%) or a substantial decline in income (25%) since the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately one-third of the participants (34%) reported COVID-19 had an impact on their HIV care and treatment. Greater COVID-19 financial concerns (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.27), mental health challenges (aOR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.79), and partner emotional abuse (aOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.01 to 6.79) were associated with higher odds of negatively affected HIV care, respectively. The relationship between increased emotional partner abuse and negatively affected HIV care was mediated by greater COVID-19-related mental health challenges. FSW living with HIV in the Dominican Republic have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted interventions that address structural (financial security and partner abuse) and psychosocial (mental health) factors are needed to sustain HIV outcomes and well-being.

Prevalence patterns and associated factors of elder abuse in an urban slum of eastern India

BackgroundThe prevalence of elder abuse in various parts of the world has been reported between 2.2 and 90.4%. According to some studies conducted in India, elder abuse prevalence ranges between 9.6 to 61.7%. Yet, elder abuse is an underreported issue. Most available evidence shows the involvement of close family members and caregivers in the abuse of older adults. Several factors associated with various forms of elder abuse need to be studied further. This study has attempted to capture the prevalence, pattern and associated factors of elder abuse in urban slums.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional community-based study conducted between August 2019 to August 2020 in an urban field practice area of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar. It covers four wards of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, served by the Urban Primary Health Centre, IRC Village, Nayapalli. A total of 360 participants aged 60 years and above were included in this study. They were interviewed using various semi-structured interview schedules. Validated study tools such as Activities of Daily Living (ADL- Barthel Index), Hindi Mental Scale Examination (HMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale (VASS) were also used to assess various factors.ResultsApproximately one in five (19.4%) older adults reported some form of abuse. The types of elder abuse reported were physical abuse in 12 (3.3%), verbal abuse in 25 (6.9%), emotional abuse in 40 (11.1%), and financial abuse in 15 (4.2%) older adult participants. The sons and daughters-in-law of the older adult participants were the main perpetrators of abuse reported. Depression and past history of abuse were found significantly associated with any type of abuse.ConclusionsThe prevalence of elder abuse in this study was considerably high, with 70 (19.4%) out of the 360 participants reporting some form of abuse. Emotional abuse was the most reported, and physical abuse was the least reported type. The most common perpetrators were those on whom the older adults depended, like their sons and daughters-in-law.

Psychometric Properties of The Five-Item Victimization of Exploitation (FIVE) Scale: A Measure of Financial Abuse of Older Adults.

Elder mistreatment affects at least 1 in 10 older adults. Financial abuse, or exploitation, of older adults is among the most commonly reported forms of abuse. Few validated measures exist to measure this construct. We aim to present a new psychometrically validated measure of financial abuse of older adults. Classical test theory and item response theory (IRT) methodologies were used to examine a five-item measure of financial abuse of older adults, administered as part of the New York State Elder Mistreatment Survey. Factor analysis revealed a single factor best fits the data, which we labeled as financial abuse. Moreover, IRT analyses revealed that these items discriminated well between abused and nonabused persons and provided information at high levels of the latent trait θ, as is expected in cases of abuse. The Five-Item Victimization of Exploitation Scale has acceptable psychometric properties and has been used successfully in large-scale survey research. We recommend this measure as an indicator of financial abuse in elder abuse, or mistreatment prevalence research studies.

Summary findings from Tracks surveys implemented by First Nations in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, 2018-2020.

The Public Health Agency of Canada's integrated bio-behavioural surveillance system-Tracks surveys-assesses the burden of HIV, hepatitis C and associated risks in key populations in Canada. From 2018-2020, Tracks surveys were successfully implemented by First Nations Health Services Organizations in Alberta and Saskatchewan. First Nations-led survey teams invited community members who identified as First Nations, Inuit or Métis to participate in Tracks surveys and testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis. Information was collected on social determinants of health, use of prevention services, substance use, sexual behaviours and care for HIV and hepatitis C. Descriptive statistics are presented. Of the 1,828 survey participants, 97.4% self-identified as First Nations and 91.4% lived in an on-reserve community. Over half (52.2%) were cisgender female, average age was 36.3 years, 82.5% lived in stable housing, 82% had access to primary healthcare and 73.8% reported having good to excellent mental health. Most participants (97%) had a family member who had experienced residential school. High proportions experienced stigma and discrimination (65.6%), financial strain (64.3%) and abuse in childhood (65.1%). Testing for HIV (62.8%) and hepatitis C (55.3%) was relatively high. Prevalence of HIV was 1.6% (of whom 64% knew their infection status). Hepatitis C ribonucleic acid prevalence was 5% (44.9% of whom knew their current infection status). Historical and ongoing experiences of trauma, and higher prevalence of hepatitis C were identified, reaffirming evidence of the ongoing legacies of colonialism, Indian Residential Schools and systemic racism. High participation in sexually transmitted blood-borne infection testing and prevention reflect the importance of First Nations-led culturally sensitive, safe and responsive healthcare services and programs to effect improved outcomes for First Nations peoples.

Overview and Methodology of the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey - United States, January-June 2021.

Many U.S. schools closed nationwide in March 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. School closures and online-only instruction have negatively affected certain students, with studies showing adverse effects of the pandemic on mental health. However, little is known about other experiences such as economic and food insecurity and abuse by a parent, as well as risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug use among youths across the United States during the pandemic. To address this gap, CDC developed the one-time, online Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES), which was conducted during January–June 2021 to assess student behaviors and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic among high school students, including unintentional injury, violence, tobacco product use, sexual behaviors, and dietary behaviors. This overview report of the ABES MMWR Supplement describes the ABES methodology, including the student questionnaire and administration, sampling, data collection, weighting, and analysis. ABES used a stratified, three-stage cluster probability-based sampling approach to obtain a nationally representative sample of students in grades 9–12 attending public and private schools. Teachers of selected classes provided students with access to the anonymous online survey while following local consent procedures. Data were collected using a 110-item questionnaire during January–June 2021 in 128 schools. A total of 7,998 students submitted surveys, and 7,705 of these surveys had valid data (i.e., ≥20 questions answered). The school response rate was 38%, the student response rate was 48%, and the overall response rate was 18%. Information on mode of instruction and school-provided equipment was also collected from all sampled schools. This overview report provides student- and school-level characteristics obtained from descriptive analyses, and the other reports in the ABES MMWR Supplement include information on substance use, mental health and suicidality, perceived racism, and disruptions to student life among high school students. Findings from ABES during the COVID-19 pandemic can help guide parents, teachers, school administrators, community leaders, clinicians, and public health officials in decision-making for student support and school health programs.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN PAKISTAN: TO WHAT EXTENT PAKISTAN FULFILLED ITS INTERNATIONAL PLEDGE

According to a guidebook published by Sarsabz Foundation, "Sexual preference violence has been the most common and least acknowledged abuse to the women rights in Pakistan." Gender-based abuse, according to Sarsabz, "takes numerous shapes and tints and is prevalent across all strata." During every point in life, women are vulnerable to assault." Violence against women is a major issue in Pakistan, according to statistics collected by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in 2010. In 2010, around 1,790 women were murdered, with 1,076 being slain by their spouses, fathers, siblings, children, in-laws, and other families. These are not just large figures, but they also exclude a large number of cases that never get recorded or exposed publicly. It is also made apparent in the HRCP report. The Aurat Foundation's results, which are based on the HRCP's statistics, are a forerunner organization in Pakistan that focuses on issues impacting women. Women's and girls' violence is exhibited in layers of multifaceted, interconnected, and repeating forms. Physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and financial abuse and exploitation can occur in both private and public areas, and is based on situational and socio-cultural circumstances. Women are subjected to violence in many forms and settings throughout their lives. Girls are frequently subjected to various sorts of assault. The effect of abuse against females is viewed as a societal pandemic with implications that extend beyond the victim's physical and psychological traumas. The Pakistani government is fully aware of the problem's long-term effects on the direct family, community, and civilization as a whole. Keywords: Women issues, Domestic, Violence, Violence against Women, Pakistan.

Examining Adult Protective Services Outcomes: Services Associated With the Decrease of Mistreatment Differed by Elder Mistreatment Type.

Background and ObjectivesAdult Protective Services (APS) are the frontline agencies investigating elder mistreatment and providing/coordinating postinvestigation services. Yet, their effectiveness in reducing different types of mistreatment in relation to services is unknown. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap by identifying services provided by mistreatment type, and examining the associations of services with mistreatment reduction.Research Design and MethodsA pretest–post-test design was implemented using the Identification, Services, and Outcomes (ISO) Matrix to assess mistreatment levels during case investigation and at case closure after services were provided. San Francisco and Napa APS participated in a 6-month data collection.ResultsThe 4 most prevalent types of mistreatment were examined: emotional, physical, financial abuse, and neglect by others. On average, level of mistreatment decreased across mistreatment types after APS intervention. Care/case management, mental health, and other services were most common, while specific services differed depending on type of mistreatment. Care/case management services were associated with physical and emotional abuse reduction, legal services further correlated with emotional abuse reduction; financial planning services were associated with financial abuse reduction; care/case management and other services were associated with neglect reduction.Discussion and ImplicationsThis is the first study to address APS services by mistreatment type and the outcomes of services. Adoption of the ISO Matrix by APS programs opens the possibility of research and practice collaboration in APS outcomes research using a standardized approach.

Elder financial abuse based on victim–perpetrator relationship as perceived by Asian young adults

AbstractObjectiveThe current study aimed to examine how Asian adults perceive the severity of elder financial abuse (EFA) based on victim–perpetrator relationship and the explanations they give for minimizing it when the perpetrator is a close family member.BackgroundFinancial abuse, one of the fastest growing forms of abuse in the elderly population, has remained understudied, especially in Asian communities, due to cultural variations in its definition and perception.MethodA mixed‐methods study design was utilized. One hundred sixty‐four participants responded to two vignettes depicting EFA perpetrated by a close family member (son) and nonfamily member (neighbor).ResultsPaired samples t test found significant differences in severity ratings of EFA committed by son and neighbor within Asian adults. The qualitative report explored participants' explanations for minimizing EFA perpetrated by close family member using thematic analysis, which identified two major themes: (a) dismissal of severity and responsibility and (2) justification of abuse.ConclusionThis is one of the few studies to provide valuable insight into the influence of culture on perceptions of elder abuse.ImplicationsWith the elderly population in Asia increasing steadily, culturally relevant risk factors of abuse need to be identified because this could guide legal provisions that help protect the rights of older individuals.

Impact of the Domestic Violence Housing First Model on Survivors’ Safety and Housing Stability: Six Month Findings

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a leading cause of homelessness, yet little evidence exists about effective strategies to assist IPV survivors as they work to avoid homelessness while freeing themselves from abuse. An ongoing demonstration evaluation is examining if and how one promising model assists IPV survivors in obtaining safe and stable housing over time. The Domestic Violence Housing First (DVHF) model involves providing IPV survivors with mobile advocacy and/or flexible funding, depending on individual needs, in order to attain these goals. We hypothesized that those receiving DVHF would experience greater housing stability and less re-abuse compared to survivors receiving services as usual. The current study evaluated the short-term efficacy of the DVHF model with a sample of 345 homeless or unstably housed survivors who sought services and who completed in-person interviews shortly after contacting the DV agency, as well as six months later. Those who received the DVHF model showed greater improvement in their housing stability compared to those receiving services as usual, as well as decreased economic abuse. Both groups experienced a sharp decline in all forms of abuse. The Domestic Violence Housing First model shows promise in helping unstably housed DV survivors achieve safe and stable housing. Study findings have implications for DV agencies as well as those funding such services. Understanding which interventions work best for which survivors is critical to ensuring that service providers are effectively working toward long-term housing stability and well-being for IPV survivors and their children.

Self-Preferencing and Competitive Damages: A Focus on Exploitative Abuses

Conceived as a theory of competitive harm, self-preferencing has been at the core of recent European landmark cases (e.g., Google Android, Google Shopping). In the context of EU competition law, beyond the anticompetitive leveraging effect, self-preferencing may lead to vertical and horizontal exclusionary abuses, encourage exploitation abuses, and generate economic dependence abuses. In this paper, we aim at characterizing the various forms of self-preferencing, investigating platforms’ capacity and incentives to do so through their dual role, by shedding light on the economic assessment of these practices in an effects-based approach. We analyze the different options for remedies in this context, by insisting on their necessity, adequacy, and proportionality.

Ethical dilemmas in psychotherapy with older adults: A grounded theory analysis

ABSTRACT This study explores how therapists deal with ethical dilemmas in psychotherapy with older adults. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 therapists and analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Findings clustered around three themes: (i) respecting autonomy when interacting with family of vulnerable and dependent older patients; (ii) prioritizing respecting autonomy in risk situations and in suspected financial abuse without impaired judgment; and (iii) prioritizing protecting the patient in risk situations of patients with dementia and of suspected physical abuse or neglect. These findings highlight several important issues regarding the management of ethical dilemmas in psychotherapy with vulnerable and dependent older adults.

A Systemic Review of an Untold Story: The Financial Abuse

Introduction: When most people think of domestic violence, the first thing that comes to mind is most likely verbal abuse as well as physical assault or assaulting a spouse or partner. Nevertheless, according to research, financial abuse occurs just as frequently in toxic relationships as other forms of violence. Unfortunately, the frequency of poverty among women is higher than the general population (United Nations Population Fund [UNFPA], 2005). Women constitute 70% of the world's 1.5 billion impoverished, according to the World Bank (Chen, 2005). As a result, economic violence is a form of prejudice that is particularly harmful to women. Method: A systematic search was conducted with PRISMA guidelines. The search was completed by examining peer reviewed literature databases using PubMed, Research gate, Medline and identified potential studies for inclusion. Results: All participants in the mentioned studies have suffered from varying degrees of financial abuse and even people who have incomes access to their own income at their disposal. The women accounts included four kinds of economic abuse apperceived in current literature: such as Preventing the acquisition of economic resources, Preventing the use of resources, Reluctant to contribute, Exploiting women's resources and/or engendering economic costs; and two unique abuse, Exploiting women’s customary marriage gifts including Jahez/dahej, meher, wari and Jeopardising women's long-term finances, for example, through transnational investment. Conclusion: Comparing financial abuse to other forms of abuse, the researchers found that its size has grown. Aside from that, it has been discovered that the victims' behaviour continues to be affected even after rehabilitation.

Abuse and neglect alerts in vulnerable adults: the evolution during the COVID-19 outbreak in France

The COVID-19 outbreak is likely to affect both the occurrence and the reporting of abuse or neglect in vulnerable adults in a variety of ways. This study aims to explore such effects based on the alerts reported to the national system dedicated to these situations by the Ministry of Solidarity and Health in France. The main characteristics of the situations of abuse or neglect (age and gender of the victims, main type of abuse or neglect, persons considered as responsible, place of occurrence) reported to the national system from March to December 2020, since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, have been compared to those observed during the same months from 2017 to 2019. In 2019-20, abuses or neglects in nursing homes decreased (-111 or -8%), during 3-months, while those reported in domestic situations increased slightly (+50 or +1%), despite a short decline at the beginning of the epidemic. The situations reported during the epidemic as compared to those of the three previous years affected more often women, and less often involved persons other than families or professionals. Violations of rights, and psychological abuses have been more frequent, financial abuses and neglects have been less frequent since the beginning of the outbreak.

Use of Telephone- and Internet-Based Support to Elicit and Address Financial Abuse and Mismanagement in Dementia: Experiences from the Care Ecosystem Study.

Financial mismanagement and abuse in dementia have serious consequences for patients and their families. Vulnerability to these outcomes reflects both patient and contextual factors. Our study aimed to assess how multidisciplinary care coordination programs assist families in addressing psychosocial vulnerabilities and accessing needed resources. Our study was embedded in a clinical trial of the Care Ecosystem, a telephone- and internet-based supportive care intervention for patients with dementia and caregivers. This program is built around the role of the Care Team Navigator (CTN), an unlicensed dementia care guide who serves as the patient and caregiver's primary point of contact, screening for common problems and providing support. We conducted a qualitative analysis of case summaries from a subset of 19 patient/caregiver dyads identified as having increased risk for financial mismanagement and abuse, to examine how Care Ecosystem staff identified vulnerabilities and provided support to patients and families. CTNs elicited patient and caregiver needs using templated conversations to address common financial and legal planning issues in dementia. Sources of financial vulnerability included changes in patients' behavior, caregiver burden, intrafamily tension, and confusion about resources to facilitate end-of-life planning. The Care Ecosystem staff's rapport with their dyads helped them address these issues by providing emotional support, information on how to access financial, medical, and legal resources, and improving intra-familial communication. The Care Ecosystem offers a scalable way to address vulnerabilities to financial mismanagement and abuse in patients and caregivers through coordinated care by unlicensed care guides supported by a multidisciplinary team.

Psychometric properties of Haj-Yahia\u2019s questionnaire of violence against women in a sample of married women in Tehran, Iran

BackgroundAbuse against women causes great suffering for the victims and is an important health problem among women. To date, a few screening instruments for wife abuse exist for married women in Iran, but they only assess some of the wife abuse components. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Haj-Yahia’s Questionnaire in a sample of married women residing in Tehran.Materials and methodsThis is a cross-sectional study with a population consisting of married women in Tehran, among which 471 individuals were selected using convenience sampling method. Psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated using face validity, content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and stability. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed using the weighted least square mean and variance adjusted. We performed confirmatory factor analysis using Mplus version 8 software and for other calculations, we used STATA V14.ResultsThe quantitative results of face validity and content validity indicated that all items of the questionnaire were in acceptable range, and were retained in the study. In CFA results, the model fit indices were acceptable (TLI = 0.986, CFI = 0.987, RMSEA = 0.039 and SRMR = 0.057). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and economic abuse were estimated 0.90, 0.93, 0.79, and 0.78 respectively, and an alpha of 0.95 was found for the total questionnaire. The intra-cluster correlation index was 0.98.ConclusionsFindings showed that the Persian version of the questionnaire of violence against women made it possible to evaluate various dimensions of violence using 4 factors and showed good construct validity and internal reliability in the female population in Iran; therefore, it can be used in future studies.

Domestic Violence During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) outbreaks experienced by all countries in the world followed by regional and national lockdown. Restriction movement in Indonesia since April 2020 – July 2021 has influenced people’s lives. This situation tends to increase in cases of domestic violence.
 Methods: Design was quantitatively descriptive research. Population was all married women who living with their partner during the pandemic COVID-19. A number sample of 106 women was recruited by snowball sampling. The study place at Cilegon city Banten Province, Indonesia in June 2021. Instrument for measuring domestic violence was South Asian Violence Screen consist of 11 items; and Scale of Economic Abuse questionnaires Indonesia version consist of 26 items. Data collection was done by online and analysis data performed by frequency distribution
 Results: The results found that 41 (38.67%) respondents experienced domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most forms violence was psychic violence experienced by 32 respondents (30.19%) while 8 respondents (7.55%) experienced more than one violence. Family income (OR= 1.735 
 (95%CI= 0.697 – 4.322) and spouse’ age (OR= 1.882 (95%CI= 0.529 – 6.697) tend to get domestics violence.
 Conclusions: Domestic violence during pandemic COVID-19 should be a concern of health workers. Women who are experience domestic violence sometime not dressed up to report. There must be ways and strategies to dare to speak up and report.

Womens’ Awareness on the Anti-Violence Againstwomen and Their Children Act of 2004 (R.A. 9262) in barangay Washington, Surigao City

This study aimed to determine the Womens’ Awareness on RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence against women and their Children Act in Barangay Washington in Surigao City. This research sought to answer the level of awareness as to Sexual, Psychological or Emotional, Physical and Economic Abuse and also the significant difference when they grouped by age, civil status, educational attainment and occupation. The researcher utilized the descriptive survey design and administered the tool to 227 women household resided in barangay Washington. Based on the results of the study, the following findings were formulated: As to profile, 47 (20.70) aged 26-30 years old; however, the least number was 56-60 years old with four (1.76). As to civil status, married had 121 (53.30); while, divorced had four (4) 1.76. As to educational attainment, college graduate had 102(44.93); while, vocational with 4 or (1.76). As to occupation, majority was employed in public sector 97(42.73). As to the level of awareness on RA 9262, participants were fully aware of the provisions on Sexual Abuse (M: 3.31, SD: 0.91) and aware on the provisions on Psychological and Emotional, Physical, and Economic Abuse. As to significant difference, when participants were grouped by age, there was significant difference on Physical Abuse (p-value 0.017); however, no significant difference on the provisions on Sexual, Psychological/emotional abuse, and Economic Abuse. As to Civil Status, there was no significant difference on the provisions on Sexual, Psychological or Emotional Abuse, Physical, and Economic. As to Educational attainment, there was significant difference on Sexual Abuse ( p-value 0.004); however, no significant difference on the provisions of Psychological or emotional, Physical and Economic Abuse. As to occupation, there was no significant difference on the provisions on Sexual, Psychological or Emotional, Physical and Economic Abuse. Based on the findings of the study, the conclusions were drawn. In brgy.Washington, the women citizens were fully aware of RA 9262 (Anti-Violence against Women and Children) on the provisions of Physical Abuse because they knew that there were corresponding punishments against any person who committed sexual abuse and most reported cases as to records were related to sexual abuse. So assistance by way of giving advice was provided. However, they were only aware on the provisions onPychological or Emotional Abuse, Physical and Economic, even if the barangay and CSWD had documented symposiums conducted; cases related to these were rarely reported to barangay and to CSWD. Recommendations were:the Local Government Unit particularly the City Welfare Development Program in coordination with the barangay officials should ensure that the citizens fully understand the provision of the RA 9262 law particularly on Psychological and Emotional, Physical and Economic Abuse by conducting symposiums during barangay gatherings or activities.

The prevalence of elder abuse and neglect in rural areas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Many epidemiological studies have reported that elder abuse and neglect were prevalent in rural areas. However, none of them has synthesized the literature in this field. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the overall prevalence of elder abuse and neglect in rural areas through a systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify eligible articles, with no language restrictions. Statistical analyses were conducted using Review Manager software (version 5.3). Meta-analyses and sensitivity analysis were performed using a random-effects model. All results were reported as the pooled prevalence of elder and neglect with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The quality of the included studies was evaluated by strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. Potential publication bias was assessed by the funnel plot. 13 cross-sectional studies involving 10,313 participants were eligible. The prevalence of elder abuse and neglect ranged from 4.5 to 61.7% across the rural areas, and pooled prevalence estimate was 33% (95% CI 23-43). The prevalence of physical abuse was estimated at 7% (95% CI 5-9), financial abuse at 5% (95% CI 4-7), psychological/emotional abuse at 17% (95% CI 11-23), and neglect at 26% (95% CI 17-35). There was significant heterogeneity among the included studies. Stratified analyses revealed that sampling design was part of the heterogeneity source. WHO regions, gender, countries' income classification, and study quality could not explain the potential reasons for heterogeneity. The pooled prevalence of elder abuse and neglect was relatively high in rural areas. Early and targeted screening and prevention are needed. There is an urgent need for high quality studies using agreed definition of elder abuse and neglect to protect the potential high risk populations.