Relation Between Cognitive Function and Abuse among Rural Elderly People

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Bachelor of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Egypt.

2 Professor of Community Health Nursing and Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt.

3 Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Cognitive function and elder abuse are increasingly recognized as critical public health concerns, particularly among older adults in rural settings, where healthcare access and social support are often limited. Age-related cognitive decline may increase vulnerability to abuse in many forms, such as neglect, financial, psychological, and physical. Aim of the study: This study aimed to investigate the relation between cognitive function and abuse among rural elderly people. Subjects and methods: Design: The study adopted A descriptive cross-sectional design. setting: the study was conducted in El Ghar village. Subjects : a purposive sample of 230 older adults .Tools of data collection: Data collection was conducted using three primary tools: tool 1 composed of 2 parts demographic characteristics and medical history, tool 2:  the Hwalek- Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (HS-EAST) and tool 3:  the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS). Results: Findings revealed that 51.7% of participants reported high levels of abuse exposure, while 43.9% exhibited moderate cognitive impairment and 30.3% showed severe impairment. A statistically significant positive correlation was identified between total abuse exposure and cognitive decline (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Cognitive deterioration appears to be effective factor of elder abuse risk. Recommendations: The elder abuse education and outreach program for elder people to identify and prevent elder abuse, nursing intervention program for elderly people to improve cognitive abilities.

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