SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF ELDER ABUSE IN IMO EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF IMO STATE
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to identify the Socio demographic Correlates and the Preventive Measures of Elder Abuse. Six research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. Correlational survey design method was used in the study. Population for the study was 15600 elderly men and women in Imo East Senatorial District of Imo State. Sample of 312 respondents were selected using purposive sampling technique. Researcher designed instrument titled Elder Abuse Questionnaire (EAQ) was used to collect data from respondents. Validation of the instrument was done using test re test method. Data were collected on face to face bases with the aid of introductory letter from the Head of Department .Research question one was answered using frequency and percentage, research question two to six were answered using mean and standard deviation, while hypotheses one to four were tested using simple regression analysis. The following are the major findings: Elderly persons are moderately abused. Both studied age groups had moderate abuse experience. Elderly males and females both had moderate abuse experience. Elders in all the four groups (NFE, PE, SE, and TE) all had moderate abuse experience. Elders in urban areas had moderate abuse while those in rural areas had low proportion of abuse. All the 22 suggested elder abuse preventive measures were found to be appropriate. There was no significant relationship found between elder abuses based on age. There was significant relationship found between elder abuse based on gender. There was significant relationship found between level of education and elder abuse. Finally, it was found out that there was no significant relationship between location and elder abuse. The study recommended among others that both government and non-governmental agencies using mass media, voluntary agencies and health educators should carry out public awareness and education campaigns addressing forms, ills and consequences of elder abuse.