Study about domestic violence against children in primary health care units in São Paulo - Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how professionals with the Family Health Strategy act when confronted with situations of domestic violence against children. Method: This is a qualitative research. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews performed with twenty-one professionals, and thematic content analysis was used. The research was developed in the city of São Paulo, in five primary health care units located in five regions. RESULTS: The analysis pointed to four thematic categories: identification of domestic violence; types of domestic violence; assistance difficulties in domestic violence situations; and professionals' actions in domestic violence situations. Identification happens during visits made by professionals in the community, particularly the Community Health Agents, and is corroborated in clinical consultations through observation and physical examination of the child. One of the most present actions in the professionals' discourse is referring the victimized child to the Guardianship Council. CONCLUSIONS: The results reflect a reality within Primary Health Care that generates anguish in the professionals as they feel unprotected and unprepared to assist and solve demands of children who are victims of domestic violence. It was verified that Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS - National Health System) / Family Health Strategy has to advance in response to these situations. Intersectoriality, integrality and problem-solving capacity were present in the interviewees' discourse, showing that there are gaps that generate suffering and need to be re-conducted to the competent agencies.