Frequência de identificação e notificação de abuso físico infantil por profissionais da Estratégia Saúde da Família e relação com fatores socioeconômicos

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of identification and reporting of child physical abuse (CBA) by professionals from the Family Health Strategy (ESF) and associated factors in regions with different social vulnerability of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of convenience for pediatricians, dentists, family doctors and nurses, from two districts of the ESF of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The districts were selected taking vulnerability indices as a reference Social. Professionals were invited to answer a self-administered questionnaire developed in University of London, adapted for use in Brazil. Descriptive and analytical analyzes were carried out, using Pearson's chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: 144 professionals participated in the study: 35 (24.3%) dentists, 46 (31.9%) nurses, 45 (31.2%) family doctors and 18 (12.5%) pediatricians. Of the total, 86 (59.7%) professionals have already identified a case of AFI in their professional experience, but only 38 (26.4%) notified the authorities. Identification and notification were associated with professional category (p < 0.001) and to professionals who completed postgraduate studies focusing on children (p < 0.001). The vulnerability of the regions was not associated with the identification and notification of AFI cases (p = 0.754). Conclusion: The identification and notification of AFI cases were associated with professionals with training focused on the child care and professional category, with pediatricians and nurses being those who most identified and notified. The social vulnerability of the region was not associated with identification and notification.