Abstract
A qualitative study with Family Health Strategy professionals to investigate their views and practices concerning domestic violence against children and adolescents. Data were collected between April and July 2014 using semi-structured interviews carried out at Integrated Family Health Units in João Pessoa, state of Paraíba, Brazil. The thematic analysis showed that health professionals are insecure and unprepared to deal with domestic violence against children and adolescents, a fact that causes difficulties in identifying maltreatment, making the complaint, and monitoring the victims. It highlights the importance of support from health management to protect professionals who deal with cases of violence and their training in order to facilitate the early identification and reporting of cases and effective monitoring for victims and their families.
Keywords
domestic violence; child health; adolescents; primary health care; health professional