Background of the Study: Burn injuries are a major public health problem worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Survivors often experience long-term physical disfigurement, psychological trauma, and social stigma. In rural India, misconceptions, superstition, low literacy, and socio-cultural beliefs may influence community attitudes toward post-burn recovered individuals, affecting their rehabilitation and quality of life.

Objectives:

1.       To assess the perceived attitude of the Indian rural population toward post-burn recovered victims.

2.       To analysed attitudes across domains including physical appearance, social, family, religious, workplace, and psychological factors.

Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. The study was conducted in selected villages (Adgaon, Gogalgaon, Nirmal Pimpari, and Chandrapur) of Rahata Taluka, Maharashtra, India. A total of 200 participants aged 18-75 years were selected using quota sampling (50 from each village). Data were collected using a structured socio-demographic questionnaire and an attitude-perception scale. Descriptive statistics including mean, frequency, percentage, and standard deviation were used for analysis.

Results: The findings revealed that a considerable proportion of elderly participants had inadequate to moderate awareness regarding elder abuse. Awareness levels varied significantly with selected demographic variables such as age, education, and type of family. The results highlight the need for structured awareness and educational programs to enhance understanding and reporting of elder abuse among the elderly population.