[Physical violence and associated factors: a population-based study in Southern Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of physical violence and its association with sociodemographic aspects, stressful life events, and the use of health services due to emotional problems.


METHODS
A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with a sample of 1,954 14-year-old or older inhabitants of the city of Canoas (Southern Brazil). They were selected by means of conglomerate sampling according to a pre-established system. Data were obtained in visits to households by means of a confidential semi-structured questionnaire. A bivariate analysis was carried out through multinomial logistic regression, and the multivariate analysis by polytomous logistic regression, categorizing the outcome by age group.


RESULTS
The findings show a prevalence of 9.7% (CI 95%: 8.37;11.03) and association with: women 20 years old and older (OR=2.74; CI 95%: 1.52;4.94); higher schooling rate (p<0.03); higher experience of stressful life events at 20 years of age or more (OR=6.61; CI 95%: 2.71;16.1); and doctors' appointments due to emotional problems as of 10 years of age (p>0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of physical violence in the population was significant, resulting in important emotional consequences and impact on health services, requiring capacity building of the professionals in the field.
Palazzo
Lílian Dos Santos
Ldos S
Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas, RS, Brasil. lspalazzo@hotmail.com
Kelling
Alessandra
A
Béria
Jorge Umberto
JU
Figueiredo
Andréia Cristina Leal
AC
Gigante
Luciana Petrucci
LP
Raymann
Beatriz
B
Bassani
Diego Garcia
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult