Elder Abuse Prevention Programmes in Rural South Sudan: Behavioural Change Among Elders and Families, 2006

Elder abuse is a significant social issue affecting rural communities worldwide, including South Sudan where cultural norms and legal frameworks often fail to address these issues effectively. The research employed qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation within four selected villages. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis. A notable finding is that the programmes led to a significant increase in awareness about elder abuse among participants, with over 70% of respondents indicating an improvement in recognising signs of abuse compared to baseline levels. The preventive elder abuse programmes demonstrated promising outcomes in fostering positive behavioural changes towards elder care within rural South Sudanese communities. These findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of culturally tailored interventions in this context. Further research should focus on replicating these success stories across other regions and incorporating gender-specific approaches to address unique challenges faced by older women and men.