Indicators of Violence and Inequity Among the Elderly Population of Bogotá

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the indicators associated to episodes of vi-olence and unequal treatment within a particular historical context among the elderly. Methods: This is a subsidiary analysis of the SABE-Bogotá survey. The design was a probabilistic cluster sample of 2,000 people aged 60 and over. The study was carried out by the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana's Institute on Ageing and cosponsored by Col-ciencias. The variables of interest were: displacement and experiences of violence, as-sessed through self-reporting. A descriptive analysis of all variables was performed, calculating simple frequency distributions. Subsequently, dependency and association analyses were performed using Chi-square, T-tests, and multivariate logistic regressions, depending on each case. Results: 43.32% of the subjects were victims of some type of violence in the last year, among which offensive language was one of the most frequent. Individuals with severe depression (OR 2.10 [1.21-3.65]) and those who had been victims of displacement (OR 2.55 CI 95% [1.65-3.95]) had the highest risk of violence. Furthermore, 8.65% of respondents had been victims of displacement at some point in their lives. Individuals with diabetes (OR 2.23 CI 95% [1.38-3.60]), severe depression (OR 2.48 [1.23-4.99]) and those without health insurance (OR 5.32 CI 95% [2.03-13.92]) were more likely to have experienced displacement. Conclusion: A high percentage of the elderly population in the city of Bogotá has been victim of different types of violence, including the one related to armed conflict and forced displacement, which is a particular and exclusive form of violence suffered by this group of people. This situation began more than 50 years ago and has had devastating con-sequences throughout their lives. By defining markers as part of a characterization, it is possible to propose strategies for reparation and reconciliation within society and the alleviation of inequality.