Analysis of Forms and Determinants of Abuse of Elder in Six Selected Communities in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The incidence of elder abuse is increasingly becoming a serious public health problem in Nigeria. Despite the steady increase, not very many studies have attempted to investigate this phenomenon, especially in Northern Nigeria. The study specifically examined the various forms of elder abuse common in the study area and also identified the causes. Questionnaire survey was used to elicit information from a sample of male and female respondents aged 65 years and more. Descriptive statistics such as the use frequency distribution and percentages was adopted for data analysis. The study found out that emotional abuse is the most common form of abuse in the area others include financial abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment. It was also observed that neglect and abandonment was the most widely reported form of abused experienced. In addition, the study also found that caregivers stress, social isolation, unemployment, substance abuse are determinants. Furthermore, the Pearson chi-square test revealed significant association between, age, religious affiliation, marital status, means of livelihood, number of children, living arrangement and all the forms of elder abuse identified. (Physical abuse, emotion abuse, sexual abuse and neglect abuse) On the whole it was concluded that elder abuse thrives in the study area. On the basis of this, it is recommended that public enlightenment varying  proportion of the  respondents stated that they have personally experience all of these forms of abuse but aimed at informing the public about what action and behaviours constitutes should be stepped up. In addition social support scheme aimed at catering for the need of the elderly should be put instituted.