[Gender-based violence in women over sixty-five years old and use of health services in Spain]

Gender-based violence experienced by older women encompasses aspects of vulnerability and invisibility, making it a public health concern. The objective was to describe the different forms of violence suffered by women over sixty-five years old and their relationship with the use of health services in Spain.

A cross-sectional study was carried out. Sociodemographic variables, violence and its types, social support, and use of health services were collected. A descriptive analysis of the variables and binary logistic regression models were performed, calculating Odds Ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (95% CI). The SPSS programme, v.22, was used.

2,357 women with an average age of 74.2±6.9 years were analyzed. 552 (23.4%) of older women had experienced intimate partner violence throughout their lives (14.1% experiencing psychological violence and 17.1% experiencing controlling behavior), 219 (9.3%) experienced violence from individuals other than their partner, and 684 (29%) experienced interpersonal violence. Women who suffered intimate partner violence and interpersonal violence were more likely to use health services (health centre [OR=1.41, OR=1.62], hospitalisation [OR=1.64, OR=1.38] and emergency services [OR=1.31, OR=1.25]). Women who experienced any type of violence were more likely to use specialist services than those who did not (intimate partner violence [OR=2.34], interpersonal violence [OR=2.38] and violence by individuals other than the partner [OR=1.82]).

Older Spanish women predominantly experience intimate partner and interpersonal violence. They are more likely to use healthcare and specialist services than those who do not experience this. Programs against gender-based violence are needed to prevent and treat it.