Dimensions of Violence against the Elderly and Health Conditions: a Population-based Study in Southern Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of violence and its association with the health conditions of the elderly. The method used was a cross-sectional study with 1140 elderly individuals aged 60 and older of both sexes interviewed in years 2013 and 2014 in Florianópolis, Brazil. The prevalence and dimensions of violence were measured using the Hawlek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test. To test the association of violence with health conditions, a bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was applied; the analyzes were stratified by sex. A high prevalence of violence against the elderly (25,7%) was found, regarding the dimensions of violence, potential abuse (56,1% p = 0,039) and violation of personal rights or direct abuse (31,9% p = 0,012) was higher among males compared to females, while the vulnerability characteristics were higher in both sexes and did not present statistical difference between them (p = 0,857). We highlight the relevance of depressive symptoms among health conditions, which increased the chance of suffering violence about three times for both men and women. We hope that the evidence presented may support effective actions to prevent violence against the elderly.