This study aimed to analyze factors associated with the reporting of child and adolescent abuse in primary healthcare. It is a cross-sectional study conducted with 381 professionals (physicians, nurses and dental surgeons) from three healthcare regions of the state of Ceara, Brazil. It used a self-administered questionnaire asking for socio-demographic data, vocational education and training, instrumentation and knowledge on the issue, identification and reporting of abuse cases. Bivariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression were performed. There was a frequency of 17% of abuse reporting by basic healthcare professionals. The multivariate analysis showed that participating in the training on the issue (OR = 2.18; CI95% = 1.05-4.53), being familiar with the reporting form (OR = 3.03; CI95% = 1.47-6.24) and knowing how to refer the case properly (OR = 2.55; CI95% = 1.01-6.43) increased the chance of professionals reporting child and adolescent abuse. The variables identified in the final model showed a direct association between the act of reporting and matters related to knowledge and training on the issue. Investments in the training of healthcare professionals are required in order to favor the qualification of the practice for this public health problem.
Reporting; Violence; Child; Adolescent; Primary healthcare