BackgroundPhysical activity is an important component of health in old age that provides personal independence, physical ability, and quality of life.ObjectivesThe current study aimed to evaluate physical activity and associated factors among the elderly population in Kashan, Iran.Patients and MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample was 400 elderly people (aged more than 60 years) living in Kashan, Iran in 2014. The subjects randomly selected via multi-stage cluster sampling from healthcare centers in three regions of Kashan. The sample size differed by gender and residence type. Each participant’s demographic characteristics and level of physical activity were recorded in a questionnaire, and the data were analyzed by SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Pearson correlations, and ordinal regression were used in the data analysis. The significance level for all the tests was P < 0.05.Results237 (59.2%) of the subjects were female. The average age of the study population was 67.6 ± 6.8 years. Their average physical activity energy consumption was 326.21 ± 364.84 according to the metabolic equivalent of hours per week. 20 subjects (5%) reported no physical activity. 320 (80%) and 59 (14.8%) subjects had low and moderate physical activity levels, respectively. Only 1 subject (0.2%) had extreme levels of physical activity. Men (n = 43, 26.4%) were more likely to be moderately or extremely physically active than women were (n = 17, 7.2%). There was a significant relationship between physical activity and sex (P < 0.0001), marital status (P < 0.0001), educational status (P < 0.002), current occupation (P < 0.0001), and personal independence (P < 0.00001). Of course, effective predictive variations included age (P = 0.034), gender (P = 0.001), marital status (P = 0.033), independent status (P = 0), and local environment (P =0.001).ConclusionsThe study revealed low physical activity in the elderly population in Kashan. The pattern of physical activity in the elderly depends on their lifestyle. A promotion of active lifestyles should be a part of health care planning for the elderly.

Introduction: Elder abuse is among the major social health problems in today`s communities, and has significant effect on decreasing the health and security level in this group. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of abuse among the elderly in Kashan, Iran. Materials and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 500 people over 60 years old in Kashan, Iran in 2014. Subjects were randomly selected from 10 healthcare centers of Kashan. Data were collected using elder abuse questionnaire. Cronbach alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was determined as 0.975. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13. Pearson correlation coefficient and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. The statistically significant level was P<0.05. Results: Results of the current study showed that 80% of subjects have experienced at least one type of abuse during the last year. The highest rate of abuse was in the form of financial abuse (45.6%), and the lowest was in ostracizing (16.6%). There was a statistical significant relationship between the elder abuse and variables such as sex, age, number of children, marital status, living arrangement, residential situation, home properties, monthly income, insurance situation, illness history, walking ability and using mobility aids. Logistic regression analysis also showed significant relationship between the elder abuse and unemployment, living in an apartment, and the age range 71-80 years. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of abuse among the elderly, clarification of this phenomenon is considered as one of the main priorities, which can be achieved only through multidisciplinary approach in the community, and needs cooperation and collaboration of all community members.

Background: Elder abuse is a significant public health problem overlooked by communities. The current study investigated various abuse types prevalence and their associated factors among the elderly. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2014. Research palpation compromised elderly covered by health hygiene centers in Kashan City, Iran. The study sample included 500 elderly individuals. We applied quota sampling with randomization for sample selection. The quota sampling size differed according to the number and gender of the subjects. Demographic data questionnaire and Heravi-Karimooi Elderly Abuse Questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS. Descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Chisquared test, and Logistic Regression analysis were used for data analysis. The significance level was set at P<0.05. Results: The study participants' Mean±SD age was 72.07±9.03 years. The obtained prevalence rates were as follows: emotional neglect: 29.8%, neglect of care: 35.6%, financial neglect: 37.8%, authority: 41.2%, experienced psychological abuse: 45%, financial abuse: 45.6%, physical abuse: 22.2%, and rejection: 16.6%. There were significant correlations between abuse and age (P=0.001), the number of children (P=0.001), marital status (P=0.01), the living conditions (P=0.001), having diseases (P=0.029), and having the ability to walk (P=0.001). Conclusion: The study findings are crucial in developing a national system for protecting the elderly. Furthermore, a continuing education plan is required for enforcing communication between caregivers and elders.