Background: Globally, elder abuse is a common form of violence against the elderly. This study examines the association of disability and functional ability measures with elder abuse in India. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the UNFPA's 'Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India' (BKPAI 2011) have been analysed. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses have been used to examine the association of measures of disability and functional ability with elder abuse/mistreatment. Results: The overall prevalence of elder abuse in the study population is 11.4%. The prevalence of elder abuse experienced by study participants in the month before the survey is 6%. The prevalence of disability/functional ability increases the likelihood of elder abuse. Furthermore, the association between functional ability and abuse is stronger and consistent among the elderly who experienced abuse in the month preceding the survey. In addition, the association between disability and elder abuse is stronger in urban areas. Another observation is that gender introduces considerable disparities in the association of disability and functional ability measures with elder abuse. While elderly men with more than two disabilities are 1.85 times (95% CI: 1.23, 2.77, p < 0.003) more likely to experience abuse/mistreatment, women are 3.16 times (CI: 2.22, 4.49, p < .001) more exposed to it. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest a significant association of disability and functional ability with elder abuse. The association differs considerably by place of residence and gender. Measures to improve the functional health of the elderly population and measures to protect the elderly with disability and functional limitations are important in preventing abuse/mistreatment in old age.

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Many sub-Saharan African countries are confronted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This article reviews academic literature in the social sciences and health to discover why HIV/AIDS has become an epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa and not in other parts of the world. This was studied by examining the social determinants of diminishment of tradition and social cohesion in terms of political, social and economic problems. Four countries in this region were selected for this case study, namely South Africa, Botswana, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The findings showed that instability in socio-economic and political aspects in these nations was responsible for creating a suitable environment for the spread of HIV/AIDS infection. This paper concludes by using the theories of collective action/responsibility and social cohesion to hypothesise that the breakdown of social ties due to various kinds of conflicts and unrest is one of the main contributors to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Background and objectivesThe Care Companion Program (CCP) is an in-hospital multitopic skill-based training programme provided to families to improve postdischarge maternal and neonatal health. The states of Punjab and Karnataka in India piloted the programme in 12 district hospitals in July 2017, and no study to date has evaluated its impact.MethodsWe compared telephonically self-reported maternal and neonatal care practices and health outcomes before and after the launch of the CCP programme in 11 facilities. Families in the preintervention group delivered between May to June 2017 (N=1474) while those in the intervention group delivered between August and October 2017 (N=3510). Programme effects were expressed as adjusted risk ratios obtained from logistic regression models.ResultsAt 2-week postdelivery, the practice of dry cord care improved by 4% (RR=1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.06) and skin-to-skin care by 78% (RR=1.78, 95% CI 1.37 to 2.27) in the postintervention group as compared with preintervention group. Furthermore, newborn complications reduced by 16% (RR=0.84, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.91), mother complications by 12% (RR=0.88, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.97) and newborn readmissions by 56% (RR=0.44, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.61). Outpatient visits increased by 27% (RR=1.27, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.46). However, the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, unrestricted maternal diet, hand-hygiene and being instructed on warning signs were not statistically different.ConclusionPostnatal care should incorporate predischarge training of families. Our findings demonstrate that it is possible to improve maternal and neonatal care practices and outcomes through a family-centered programme integrated into public health facilities in low and middle-income countries.

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