Temporal trends and spatial analysis of elder abuse cases in the state of Piauí

Resumo

Introduction: The World Health Organization defines violence as the intentional use of force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of violence against older adults in the state of Piauí. Methodology: This was an ecological, quantitative study using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System for Piauí between 2010 and 2022. The reported cases were tabulated, and spatial analyses were conducted. Results: Most victims were male (n=740; 54.9%), of mixed race (n=782; 69.6%), and had low educational attainment (n=237; 46.8%). The predominant age group was 60 to 69 years (n=686; 58.4%), and most were married (n=534; 52.2%). Physical violence was the most common type (n=1022; 57.9%). Most incidents occurred in the victim’s residence (n=819; 75.6%), and the primary perpetrators were their children (n=216; 23.6%). Regarding spatial analysis, the highest rates of violence were identified in seven health regions. The primary cluster, which includes the regions of Entre Rios and Carnaubais, showed a 1.93-fold higher risk of violence. Conclusion: Violence against older adults impacts their lives, primarily through physical and psychological aggression. Therefore, the formulation of effective policies is crucial to address this public health issue.