[Violence against children: revealing the characteristics of emergency treatment, Brazil, 2006 and 2007].
The aim of this article was to describe the profile of emergency care for injuries resulting from violence against children (< 10 years of age) treated Surveillance System for Violence and Accidents (VIVA) of the Ministry of Health, for 30 consecutive days in 2006 and 2007 in selected cities of Brazil. The 518 children in the sample were predominantly male (60.6%), aged 5-9 years (52.1%), and black (71.2%). The majority (55%) of the cases occurred in the home, 34.2% involved sharp objects, and 68.7% evolved to discharge. The most frequent form of violence was physical aggression (67.4%), involving beating, sharp objects, and firearms. The other types of violence included neglect (32%), psychological abuse (9.5%), and sexual assault (3.5%). The aggressors were largely male (48.1%) and family members of the victim (36.3%). The study shows children's vulnerability to situations of violence. It is necessary to develop specific strategies for inter-sector care and social mobilization to intervene in this problem.
Mascarenhas
Márcio Dênis Medeiros
MD
Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Brasília, Brasil. mdm.mascarenhas@gmail.com
Malta
Deborah Carvalho
DC
Silva
Marta Maria Alves da
MM
Lima
Cheila Marina
CM
Carvalho
Mércia Gomes Oliveira de
MG
Oliveira
Vera Lídia Alves de
VL
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence