title: Physical violence against  women from the perspective of  health professionals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To comprehend the perception of health professionals regarding physical violence against women by an intimate partner.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a qualitative study performed in 2006 on 30 health professionals from three National Health System units in the city of Natal, Northeastern Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on three thematic topics: ideas associated to physical violence suffered by women; action of the health professional; and the role of health services. The series of interviews included questions on the perception of professionals about gender relations, physical violence, action as a health professional, and the role of health services. Categories were formed from these topics using the thematic content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Health professionals pointed several factors that influence domestic violence situations, among which are machismo, poor economic conditions, alcoholism, and previous experiences of violence in the family environment. The study group reported they did not feel qualified to discuss the subject with the population and stressed the need that health services promote educational activities with this aim.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest the need for systematized and effective actions aimed at humanizing health care for the battered woman.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil. simonetomaz@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Simone da Nóbrega Tomaz
authors.initials: Sda N
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Lílian Lira Lisboa Fagundes
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Galvão
authors.forename: Carmen Oliveira Medeiros
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: George Dantas
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: de Azevedo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D018585:Battered Women; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013179:Spouse Abuse