Prevalence of self-neglect and related factors among older adults living in Western Turkey: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Self-neglect is a serious public health problem affecting older people. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of self-neglect and related factors in the elderly, which has become more important with the increase in the elderly population.

Methods: The cross-sectional study included individuals aged 65 years and over. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire. The questionnaire content included questions related to sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, the Istanbul Medical School Elder Self-Neglect questionnaire, standardized Mini Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale: Short Form, and Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale. Factors associated with self-neglect were identified using logistic regression analysis.

Results: In this study, the prevalence of self-neglect in the elderly was 36.6%. In addition, living alone (OR: 2.71), low monthly income perception (OR: 1.86), poor/very poor health perception (OR: 2.30), having mild dementia (OR: 3.00), having severe dementia (OR: 4.54), being severely dependent (OR: 3.39) and lower levels of education (OR: 1.70) were found to be significant factors associated with self-neglect.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that approximately one in three elderly people neglected themselves, and that some sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of the elderly were associated with self-neglect.