Determinants of abuse of elderly women in marakwet east sub-county in elgeiyo marakwet county, Kenya.

Background: Elder abuse is defined as a single repeated act or lack of appropriate actions, which causes harm, risk of harm or distress to an individual 65 years of age and over.

Objective: To determine abuse of elder women in Marakwet East sub County, Elgeiyo Marakwet in Kenya.

Study Design: Qualitative and qualitative analysis

Study Setting: Marakwet East sub-County, Elgeiyo Marakwet County in Kenya

Study Subjects/Participants: This study targeted ten (10) elderly women 65 years of age and above.

Results: This study analyzed views on abuse of elder women in the community. Data were collected using open ended questionnaire and face to face interviews. Type, causes and consequences of elder abuse in women that were openly described in the questionnaire clearly reveal that elderly women are denied a variety of rights. There were a number of interventions in society but overall, they were deemed inadequate given the magnitude of the problem. The study included analysis of the magnitude and various dimensions of abuse of elder women, assessment of the effectiveness of existing interventions and the status of implementation of national policy in Kenya. 

Conclusion: There is need to establish special facilities for the elderly possibility of government of Kenya providing free or highly subsidized healthcare scheme for the needy elderly. Patients in immediate danger should be hospitalized or placed in emergency shelters. Suspected abuse should be reported directly to the appropriate state agency which is capable of providing a thorough long term assessment as part of management.