Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Sub-types in South Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

TL;DR

This study finds that elder abuse is common in South Asia, with women being more affected than men, and highlights the need for better support and policies.

Contribution

The study provides the first meta-analysis of elder abuse prevalence and subtypes in South Asia, highlighting gender disparities.

Findings

Overall elder abuse prevalence in South Asia is 31.8%, with women experiencing higher rates (33.0%) than men (24.3%).

Psychological abuse and caregiver neglect are the most common forms of elder abuse in the region.

Women face higher rates of physical and financial abuse, but not sexual abuse, compared to men.

Abstract

Elder abuse is a critical public health and human rights issue, particularly in South Asia, where patriarchal norms, family-centered caregiving and inadequate institutional support exacerbate the issue. Despite global focus, regional data on elder abuse in South Asian countries are limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the prevalence of community-based elder abuse and its subtypes among older adults (≥60 years) in South Asia and explored the gender differences in abuse experiences. A comprehensive search of six databases and gray literature identified 33 relevant studies from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Data were extracted using Covidence, and study quality was assessed with the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models, with heterogeneity evaluated via the I² statistic. Most studies were from India (n = 21) and Nepal (n = 7), with an overall elder abuse prevalence of 31.8%, ranging from 25.8% in India to 49.9% in Nepal. Women experienced higher abuse rates (33.0%) than men (24.3%). Caregiver neglect and psychological abuse (around 20% each) were the most common, disproportionately affecting women. Physical abuse (3.9%), financial exploitation (8.0%), and sexual abuse (0.7%) were less frequent, with women experiencing higher abuse in all categories except sexual abuse. This study underscores the significant prevalence of elder abuse in South Asia, with women being disproportionately affected, emphasizing the urgency for culturally appropriate interventions. Targeted policies and community-driven initiatives are essential to combat elder abuse, enhance eldercare, and safeguard vulnerable populations in the region.