Elder mistreatment in a community dwelling population: the Malaysian Elder Mistreatment Project (MAESTRO) cohort study protocol

Abstract

IntroductionDespite being now recognised as a global health concern, there is still an inadequate amount of research into elder mistreatment, especially in low and middle-income regions. The purpose of this paper is to report on the design and methodology of a population-based cohort study on elder mistreatment among the older Malaysian population. The study aims at gathering data and evidence to estimate the prevalence and incidence of elder mistreatment, identify its individual, familial and social determinants, and quantify its health consequences.Methods and analysisThis is a community-based prospective cohort study using randomly selected households from the national census. A multistage sampling method was employed to obtain a total of 2496 older adults living in the rural Kuala Pilah district. The study is divided into two phases: cross-sectional study (baseline), and a longitudinal follow-up study at the third and fifth years. Elder mistreatment was measured using instrument derived from the previous literature and modified Conflict Tactic Scales. Outcomes of elder mistreatment include mortality, physical function, mental health, quality of life and health utilisation. Logistic regression models are used to examine the relationship between risk factors and abuse estimates. Cox proportional hazard regression will be used to estimate risk of mortality associated with abuse. Associated annual rate of hospitalisation and health visit frequency, and reporting of abuse, will be estimated using Poisson regression.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the University of Malaya Medical Center (MEC Ref 902.2) and the Malaysian National Medical Research Register (NMRR-12-1444-11726). Written consent was obtained from all respondents prior to baseline assessment and subsequent follow-up. Findings will be disseminated to local stakeholders via forums with community leaders, and health and social welfare departments, and published in appropriate scientific journals and presented at conferences.

Elder Abuse and Chronic Pain: Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Results from the Preventing Elder Abuse and Neglect Initiative

“…If there was more than 1 eligible respondent in a household, 1 person was randomly selected. Further details on study methodology have been previously published …”

The prevalence and correlates of elder abuse and neglect in a rural community of Negeri Sembilan state: baseline findings from The Malaysian Elder Mistreatment Project (MAESTRO), a population-based survey

“…The Malaysian Elder Mistreatment Project (MAESTRO) is an epidemiological study of elder abuse among Malaysian older adults aged 60 years and above. 22 The inclusion criteria were older adults aged 60 years or more, residing at home, alone or with family over the past 12 months and not institutionally bound. The sampling frame for this study was obtained from the Malaysian Department of Statistics.…”

“…1 23 Details of the study methods conform to the STROBE reporting guideline 24 and have been described previously in the study protocol. 22 This study employed face-to-face interviews with 2118 older adults with their written informed consent (84.9% response rate) from a total of 2496 older adults in the sampling frame. Approximately 378 older adults did not respond due to migration, death or were not at home when visited up to three times during the survey period (see figure 1 ).…”

Does abuse in late life worsen sleep quality? A two‐year prospective cohort study among rural older adults

“…A set of questions were asked pertaining to each type of abuse and for each question, a binary option of “yes” or “no” was given, along with inquiry into the frequency of abuse episodes and how serious it was. Details of questionnaire items are available in the published study protocol . In this study, we defined EAN as any abuse episodes occurring ever since the respondent turned 60.…”

“…Details of questionnaire items are available in the published study protocol. 16 In this study, we defined EAN as any abuse episodes occurring ever since the respondent turned 60.…”