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Analysis of cases of interpersonal violence against women

Abstract

Objective

To analyze the reported cases of interpersonal violence against women in the state of Espírito Santo.

Methods

This is an analytical, cross-sectional study, which analyzed the reported cases of violence against women from 2011 to 2018 in Espírito Santo. The data that were analyzed in this study are the result of the Reporting Forms/Investigation of Interpersonal and Self-inflicted Violence from the Reporting Diseases Information System (SINAN). Statistical analyzes were performed using the chi-square test and Poisson regression, using Stata 14.1, with p-values lower than 0.05 being considered significant.

Results

Interpersonal violence reporting in females represented a frequency of 74.9% (n=20,449; 95%CI: 74.4-75.4). It was observed that children and older adults had a 35% higher prevalence of this condition compared to adolescents. There is a higher frequency of this phenomenon among black/brown people (PR: 1.07; 95%CI: 1.05-1.08) compared to white people. As for aggressor characteristics, there is a higher prevalence in the age group of 25 years and older (PR: 1.09; 95%CI: 1.06-1.11), male (PR: 3.02; 95%CI: 2.88-3.17) and under suspicion of alcohol consumption at the time of aggression (95%CI: 1.05-1.08). Regarding the event, there is a frequency 1.28 times higher on public thoroughfare.

Conclusion

Sociodemographic, behavioral factors and personal experiences of violence influence its occurrence.

Exposure to violence; Violence against women; Intimate partner violence; Violence

Resumo

Objetivo

Analisar os casos notificados de violência interpessoal contra as mulheres no estado do Espírito Santo.

Métodos

Estudo analítico, do tipo transversal, em que foram analisados os casos notificados de violência contra a mulher no período de 2011 a 2018 no Espírito Santo. Os dados que foram analisados neste estudo são resultantes das Fichas de Notificação/Investigação de Violência Interpessoal e Autoprovocada provenientes do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). As análises estatísticas foram realizadas por meio do teste de Qui-quadrado e regressão de Poisson, utilizando o software Stata 14.1, sendo considerados significativos valores de p menores que 0,05.

Resultados

A notificação de violência interpessoal no sexo feminino representou frequência de 74,9% (n=20.449; IC95%: 74,4-75,4). Foi observado que crianças e idosas apresentaram 35% mais prevalência desse agravo comparada aos adolescentes. Há maior frequência desse fenômeno entre pessoas de cor preta / parda (RP: 1,07; IC95%:1,05-1,08) comparada àquelas de cor branca. Quanto às características do agressor verifica-se maior prevalência na faixa etária de 25 anos e mais (RP: 1,09; IC95%: 1,06-1,11), do sexo masculino (RP: 3,02; IC95%: 2,88-3,17) e sob suspeita de uso de álcool no momento da agressão (IC95%: 1,05-1,08). Em relação ao evento, nota-se uma frequência 1,28 vezes maior em via pública.

Conclusão

Fatores sociodemográficos, comportamentais e experiências pessoais de violência influenciam a ocorrência do fenômeno.

Exposição à violência; Violência contra a mulher; Violência por parceiro íntimo; Violência

Resumen

Objetivo

Analizar los casos notificados de violencia interpersonal contra mujeres en el estado de Espírito Santo.

Métodos

Estudio analítico, tipo transversal, en el que se analizaron los casos notificados de violencia contra la mujer en el período de 2011 a 2018 en Espírito Santo. Los datos que fueron analizados en este estudio son resultantes de las Fichas de Notificación/Investigación de Violencia Interpersonal y Autoprovocada provenientes del Sistema de Información de Agravios de Notificación (SINAN). Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron mediante la prueba χ2 de Pearson y regresión de Poisson, con el uso del software Stata 14.1, donde se consideraron significativos valores de p menores que 0,05.

Resultados

La notificación de violencia interpersonal en el sexo femenino representó una frecuencia de 74,9 % (n=20.449; IC95 %: 74,4-75,4). Se observó que niñas y adultas mayores presentan un 35 % más de prevalencia de este agravio, comparadas con adolescentes. Existe una mayor frecuencia de este fenómeno en personas de color negro / pardo (RP: 1,07; IC95 %:1,05-1,08), comparadas con las de color blanco. Respecto a las características del agresor, se verificó mayor prevalencia en el grupo de edad de 25 años o más (RP: 1,09; IC95 %: 1,06-1,11), de sexo masculino (RP: 3,02; IC95 %: 2,88-3,17) y con sospecha de uso de alcohol en el momento de la agresión (IC95 %: 1,05-1,08). Con relación al evento, se observa una frecuencia 1,28 veces mayor en la vía pública.

Conclusión

Factores sociodemográficos, de comportamiento y experiencias personales de violencia influyen para que suceda este fenómeno

Exposición a la violencia; Violencia contra la mujer; Violencia de pareja; Violencia

Introduction

Over the last few years, violence against women has been highlighted in the agendas of public and governmental bodies, due to its various impacts on people’s social, economic and physical lives, including gender equality within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the 2030 Agenda defined by the United Nations (UN).(11. Stöckl H, Sardinha L, Maheu-Giroux M, Meyer SR, García-Moreno C. Physical, sexual and psychological intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence against women and girls: a systematic review protocol for producing global, regional, and country estimates. BMJ Open. 2021;11:e045574. Review.) Even with the concern, this aggravation still remains with alarming numbers in the world population, especially after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased reports of domestic violence among women due to restrictions and social isolation.(22. World Health Organization (WHO). Violence against women prevalence estimates, 2018: global, regional and national prevalence estimates for intimate partner violence against women and global and regional prevalence estimates for non-partner sexual violence against women. Geneva: WHO; 2021 [cited 2021 Nov 20]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256
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)

Interpersonal violence can be understood as the intentional use of physical force or other power against a person, perpetrated by an individual or small group of individuals. It is classified as physical, sexual or psychological violence, and may also involve deprivation and neglect.(33. World Health Organization (WHO). World Report on Violence and Health. Geneva: WHO; 2002 [cited 2021 Nov 20]. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/42495/9241545615_eng.pdf
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)

Updated data from 2018 show that, in Latin America and the Caribbean, 25% of women suffer or have suffered some type of physical or sexual violence throughout their lives, highlighting the victimization of young women with their intimate partner as the aggressors. With this, multisectoral actions must be implemented due to the complex nature of this problem, also involving social participation in the process of cultural overcoming gender inequalities.(22. World Health Organization (WHO). Violence against women prevalence estimates, 2018: global, regional and national prevalence estimates for intimate partner violence against women and global and regional prevalence estimates for non-partner sexual violence against women. Geneva: WHO; 2021 [cited 2021 Nov 20]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256
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)

The Atlas of Violence 2021 shows that in 2019 Brazil had a rate of 21.7 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants resulting from homicides, with the rate among female victims at 3.5 deaths per 100,000 people.(44. Brasil. Governo Federal. Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA). Atlas da Violência 2021. Brasília (DF): IPEA; 2021 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: https://www.ipea.gov.br/atlasviolencia/arquivos/artigos/1375-atlasdaviolencia2021completo.pdf
https://www.ipea.gov.br/atlasviolencia/a...
) The state of Espírito Santo, located in southeastern Brazil, ranked in 2015 as the third state with the highest homicide rate in the country, with 40.4/100 thousand inhabitants, being below the rates recorded only in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco.(55. Malta DC, Minayo MC, Soares Filho AM, Silva MM, Montenegro MM, Ladeira RM. Mortality and years of life lost by interpersonal violence and self-harm: in Brazil and Brazilian states: analysis of the estimates of the Global Burden of Disease Study, 1990 and 2015. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2017;20(Suppl 1):142-56.)

In Brazil, this grievance became more visible after the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law (Law 11,340), which defined it as any action or omission that leads to death, physical, sexual, psychological and moral or property damage to women.(44. Brasil. Governo Federal. Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA). Atlas da Violência 2021. Brasília (DF): IPEA; 2021 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: https://www.ipea.gov.br/atlasviolencia/arquivos/artigos/1375-atlasdaviolencia2021completo.pdf
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,66. Brasil. Presidência da República. Lei nº 11.340, de 7 de agosto de 2006. Cria mecanismos para coibir a violência doméstica e familiar contra a mulher, nos termos do § 8º do art. 226 da Constituição Federal, da Convenção sobre a Eliminação de Todas as Formas de Discriminação contra as Mulheres e da Convenção Interamericana para Prevenir, Punir e Erradicar a Violência contra a Mulher; dispõe sobre a criação dos Juizados de Violência Doméstica e Familiar contra a Mulher; altera o Código de Processo Penal, o Código Penal e a Lei de Execução Penal; e dá outras providências. Brasília (DF): Presidência da República; 2006 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2004-2006/2006/lei/l11340.htm
http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_at...
)

A recent systematic review of 366 studies, which gathered responses from about 2 million women in more than 160 countries around the world, showed that, globally, approximately 27% of women have already experienced violence in their lives, and 13% have experienced this problem in the last year.(77. Sardinha L, Maheu-Giroux M, Stöckl H, Meyer SR, García-Moreno C. Global, regional, and national prevalence estimates of physical or sexual, or both, intimate partner violence against women in 2018. Lancet. 2022;399(10327):803-13.)In Espírito Santo, a population-based study carried out with almost a thousand women using the Unified Health System (SUS – Sistema Único de Saúde) services showed that psychological violence was the most frequently reported, with a prevalence of 25.3% of cases, while 9.9% of women were victims of psychological violence and 5.7% of sexual violence.(88. Leite FM, Amorim MH, Wehrmeister FC, Gigante DP. Violência contra a mulher em Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Rev Saude Publica. 2017;51:33.)

Violence against women can have short and medium-term repercussions on the physical and mental health of women and even their children.(77. Sardinha L, Maheu-Giroux M, Stöckl H, Meyer SR, García-Moreno C. Global, regional, and national prevalence estimates of physical or sexual, or both, intimate partner violence against women in 2018. Lancet. 2022;399(10327):803-13.) The repercussions reported in the literature are anxiety, stress, sleep disorders, depressive symptoms, heart disease, chronic pain, intestinal disorders, fibromyalgia and others, in addition to the repercussions for women’s sexual and reproductive health, such as sexual dysfunctions, sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, unwanted pregnancy and maternal and neonatal complications.(99. Idoko P, Ogbe E, Jallow O, Ocheke A. Burden of intimate partner violence in the Gambia: a cross sectional study of pregnant women. Reproductive Health. 2015;12(34):1-6.)

In this regard, considering that violence is a passive prevention and knowledge about its related factors is fundamental for creating public policies relevant to each region,(1010. Delziovo CR, Bolsoni CC, Nazário NO, Coelho EB. Características dos casos de violência sexual contra mulheres adolescentes e adultas notificadas pelos serviços públicos de saúde em Santa Catarina, Brasil. Cad Saude Publica. 2017;33(6):e00002716.) the present study aims to analyze the reported cases of interpersonal violence against women in the state of Espírito Santo.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, where 27,315 cases of violence against women were reported from 2011 to 2018 in Espírito Santo, of which 20,449 corresponded to interpersonal violence against women. The choice of the year 2011 was due to the inclusion of violence in the list of grievances of compulsory reporting by the Ministry of Health,(1111. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Portaria nº 104, de 25 de janeiro de 2011. Define as terminologias adotadas em legislação nacional, conforme o disposto no Regulamento Sanitário Internacional 2005 (RSI 2005), a relação de doenças, agravos e eventos em saúde pública de notificação compulsória em todo o território nacional e estabelece fluxo, critérios, responsabilidades e atribuições aos profissionais e serviços de saúde. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2011 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis/gm/2011/prt0104_25_01_2011.html
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegi...
) and was completed in 2018, when a larger study entitled “Análise das notificações de violência no Espírito Santo” was carried out.

Espírito Santo is a state located in southeastern Brazil. According to the 2010 census, it had 3,514,952 inhabitants in a territorial extension of 46,074,444 km22. World Health Organization (WHO). Violence against women prevalence estimates, 2018: global, regional and national prevalence estimates for intimate partner violence against women and global and regional prevalence estimates for non-partner sexual violence against women. Geneva: WHO; 2021 [cited 2021 Nov 20]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...
and a population density of 76.25 inhabitants/km22. World Health Organization (WHO). Violence against women prevalence estimates, 2018: global, regional and national prevalence estimates for intimate partner violence against women and global and regional prevalence estimates for non-partner sexual violence against women. Geneva: WHO; 2021 [cited 2021 Nov 20]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...
. It has a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.740, and 50.75% of its population is composed of women (1,783,735).(1212. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Cidades: panorama Espírito Santo. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE; 2021 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: https://cidades.ibge.gov.br/brasil/es/panorama
https://cidades.ibge.gov.br/brasil/es/pa...
)

The data analyzed in this study come from the Reporting Forms/Investigation of Interpersonal and Self-inflicted Violence,(1313. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. VIVA: instrutivo de notificação de violência interpessoal e autoprovocada. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2016. 92 p.) completed in public and private health services, digitized in the Reporting Diseases Information System (SINAN - Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação). The database was provided by the Epidemiological Surveillance of the Espírito Santo State Health Department.(1414. Espírito Santo. Governo do Estado. Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Espírito Santo – SESA ES. Vitória: 2022. [citado 2022 Set 5]. Disponível em: https://saude.es.gov.br/
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)

Afterwards, the database underwent extensive exploratory analysis to qualify the variables of interest and correct possible inconsistencies and duplicate forms. In this qualification process, the registration field of the reporting form number was assessed for verification of duplications. Moreover, each record was individually assessed to see if other fields contained information that was filled in as ignored or that was blank in the field of interest – for instance, details about the occurrence that were described in the observations field. For each form, the type of violence that motivated reporting was also identified (when more than one type of violence was recorded), following the Interpersonal and Self-Inflicted Reporting Instruction guidelines.(1313. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. VIVA: instrutivo de notificação de violência interpessoal e autoprovocada. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2016. 92 p.)

In this study, interpersonal violence is considered as defined in the instruction, which differs in two typologies: domestic/intra-family violence, which is characterized as what happens between intimate partners or family members in or outside homes; and extra-family/community violence, that which occurs in the social environment including both known and unknown. The concept encompasses the different natures of interpersonal violence, such as physical, psychological/moral, torture, sexual, human trafficking, financial/economic, neglect/abandonment, child labor and legal intervention.(1313. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. VIVA: instrutivo de notificação de violência interpessoal e autoprovocada. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2016. 92 p.)

The outcome under analysis was interpersonal violence (no, yes), and the comparison group was individuals who committed self-inflicted violence. The independent variables were:

  1. Victim characterization
    1. Age group: 0 to 9 years old, 10 to 19 years old, 20 to 59 years old, 60 years old and older

    2. Race/color: white, black and brown

    3. Presence of disabilities and/or disorders: no, yes

    4. Area of residence: urban/peri-urban; rural)

  2. Aggressor characterization
    1. Age group: 0 to 24 years; 25 years or older

    2. Sex: male, female

    3. Victim bond: family, acquaintance, unknown

    4. Suspected alcohol consumption: no, yes

  3. Occurrence characterization
    1. Number of people involved: one, two or more

    2. Location: residence, public thoroughfare, others

    3. Repetition history: no, yes

    4. Referral to other network services: no, yes

Before analysis, a database qualification process was carried out to correct possible inconsistencies.

Absolute and relative frequencies of variables were calculated with their 95% confidence intervals. Pearson’s chi-square test was used in the bivariate analysis, and Poisson’s regression was used in the multivariate analysis, with estimation of Prevalence Ratios. The variables included in the model were those that obtained p < 0.20 in the bivariate analysis. Two hierarchical levels were considered: the first was composed of victim characteristics, and the second, by aggressor and occurrence characteristic variables. The referral variable was not included in the multivariate analysis because it is a situation that occurs after the outcome. All analyzes were performed using Stata 14.1, and p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

The present work is a part of a larger project, which was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, under Opinion 2,819,597 and CAAE (Certificado de Apresentação para Apreciação Ética - Certificate of Presentation for Ethical Consideration) 88138618.0.0000.5060.

Results

Interpersonal violence reporting in females represented a frequency of 74.9% (n= 20,449; 95%CI: 74.4-75.4). Regarding victim characterization, it is noted that the age group most affected was from 20 to 59 years (66.6%), 70.5% with black/brown race/color, and approximately 91% without disability or disorder and urban area residents. As for the aggressor, about 70% were aged 25 years or older and 84.8% were male. It is observed that 53.2% of aggressors were not consuming alcohol at the time of aggression, 67.4% had a family relationship with the victim and seven out of 10 cases of interpersonal violence against women occurred at home. In approximately 60% of the reporting, there was repetition violence, with the majority (85.3%) of cases referred to be treated by other services (Table 1).

Table 1
Characteristics of reported cases of interpersonal violence against women (n=20,449)

In the bivariate analysis (Table 2), it can be seen that interpersonal violence was related to the victim’s age group, race/color, disability/disorder and area of residence. With regard to aggressor characteristics, there is a relationship with age, sex and suspected alcohol consumption. As for the event, interpersonal violence was related to place of occurrence, repetition and referral (p<0.005).

Table 2
Bivariate analysis of distribution of characteristics according to occurrence of reporting of interpersonal violence against women (n=20449)

Table 3 presents the results of analysis adjusted for the confounding factors. It is observed that children and older adults presented 35% more prevalence of interpersonal violence reporting compared to the group of adolescents. Another finding was the higher frequency of reporting among black/brown people (PR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05-1.08) compared to white people. It is also noted that reports of violence against people without disabilities are 78% more prevalent. As for aggressor characteristics, there is a higher prevalence in the age group of 25 years and older (PR: 1.09; 95%CI: 1.06-1.11), male (PR: 3.02; 95%CI: 2.88-3.17) and under suspicion of alcohol consumption at the time of aggression (PR: 1.07; 95%CI: 1.05-1.08). Regarding the event, 1.28 times more frequently occurred on public thoroughfare.

Table 3
Bivariate analysis with unadjusted prevalence ratio and multivariate model with adjusted prevalence ratio of variables associated with cases of interpersonal violence against women (n=20,449)

Discussion

Violence against women represents a violation of their rights and dignity. It is quite frequent in our society and commonly results from gender inequality. The occurrence of this grievance is part of a patriarchal socio-historical system that has conditioned women to a hierarchically inferior position in the scale of social perfection, producing an unequal relationship between men and women, which, despite showing a decrease in recent years, is still a serious concern all over the world.(1515. Oliveira RH, Fonseca RM. A violência como objeto de pesquisa e intervenção no campo da saúde: uma análise a partir da produção do Grupo de Pesquisa Gênero, Saúde e Enfermagem. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2014;48(Esp 2):32-9.,1616. Silva LE, Oliveira ML. Violência contra a mulher: revisão sistemática da produção científica nacional no período de 2009 a 2013. Cien Saude Colet. 2015;20(11):3523-32. Review.)

In this study, a high prevalence of interpersonal violence against women was identified, corresponding to 74.9% (n=20,449; 95%CI: 74.4-75.4) in the reports of violence recorded for females in Espírito Santo. This finding is similar to that found at the national level, which reveals that in 2015, 162,575 reports of violence against women were registered in SINAN, corresponding to 67.1% of the total number of reports.(1717. Barufaldi LA, Souto RM, Correia RS, Montenegro MM, Pinto IV, Silva MM, et al. Gender violence: a comparison of mortality from aggression against women who have and have not previously reported violence. Cien Saude Colet. 2017;22(9):2929-38.)

In addition to the large number of reporting, Brazil also has significant numbers of deaths motivated by violence against women. In 2019, 3,737 women were violently murdered in Brazil, the main causes of which were domestic or family violence, discrimination against women and cases of urban violence such as robberies followed by death.(44. Brasil. Governo Federal. Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA). Atlas da Violência 2021. Brasília (DF): IPEA; 2021 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: https://www.ipea.gov.br/atlasviolencia/arquivos/artigos/1375-atlasdaviolencia2021completo.pdf
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) The state of Espírito Santo represented one of the largest reductions in violent deaths against women between 2018 and 2019 (-59.4%);(44. Brasil. Governo Federal. Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA). Atlas da Violência 2021. Brasília (DF): IPEA; 2021 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: https://www.ipea.gov.br/atlasviolencia/arquivos/artigos/1375-atlasdaviolencia2021completo.pdf
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) however, it still has a high prevalence of reports of violence against women compared to other Brazilian states, as evidenced in another study(1818. Mascarenhas MD, Tomaz GR, Meneses GM, Rodrigues MT, Pereira VO, Corassa RB. Análise das notificações de violência por parceiro íntimo contra mulheres, Brasil, 2011–2017. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2020;23(Suppl 1):e200007.) that pointed Espírito Santo as the first place in the prevalence of intimate partner violence (67.6%), even higher than that observed nationally (62.4%).

Each location’s reporting bodies contribute to the promotion of databases, giving greater visibility to the worsening of violence. Even so, with regard to violent practices against the female public, gender inequality introduced in society by historical and cultural issues is highlighted, which greatly influence the greater experience of violent situations among women, as it allows them to establish relationships of power and domination of the male figure over the female.(1717. Barufaldi LA, Souto RM, Correia RS, Montenegro MM, Pinto IV, Silva MM, et al. Gender violence: a comparison of mortality from aggression against women who have and have not previously reported violence. Cien Saude Colet. 2017;22(9):2929-38.,1919. Catóia CC, Severi FC, Firmino IF. Caso “Alyne Pimentel”: violência de gênero e interseccionalidades. Rev Estud Fem. 2020;28(1):e60361.)

Regarding the victim characteristics, adjusted data analysis shows a 35% higher prevalence of interpersonal violence among children and older adults when compared to the group of adolescents and 11% higher among adults, which suggests greater vulnerabilities of the most extreme age groups. Findings from the Survey of Violence and Accidents at Sentinel Urgent and Emergency Services (VIVA - Violências e Acidentes em Serviços Sentinela de Urgência e Emergência) in 2017 identified higher concentrations of aggression between 20 and 59 years old (66.3%).(2020. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Viva inquérito 2017: vigilância de violências e acidentes em serviços sentinelas de urgência e emergência – capitais e municípios. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2019. 132 p.) It is worth considering that adulthood increases exposure to violence when compared to adolescents, as women of reproductive age are more exposed to domestic abuse, especially from an intimate partner.(1818. Mascarenhas MD, Tomaz GR, Meneses GM, Rodrigues MT, Pereira VO, Corassa RB. Análise das notificações de violência por parceiro íntimo contra mulheres, Brasil, 2011–2017. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2020;23(Suppl 1):e200007.)

In relation to greater exposure to violence among children, data from Espírito Santo found higher frequencies of violence against girls (60.1%) compared to boys, showing that women’s victimization is higher since childhood, and once again bringing the macho culture as a possible responsible for this scenario.(2121. Pedroso MR, Leite FM. Violência recorrente contra crianças: análise dos casos notificados entre 2011 e 2018 no Estado do Espírito Santo. Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2021;30(3):e2020809.)

Taking into account race/color, black women had a 1.07 times higher prevalence of experiencing interpersonal violence when compared to white women. The state of Rondônia also found a higher frequency of interpersonal violence against black women (63.80%) compared to white women (20.05%).(2222. Oliveira CA, Alencar LN, Cardena RR, Moreira KF, Pereira PP, Fernandes DE. Perfil da vítima e características da violência contra a mulher no estado de Rondônia - Brasil. Rev Cuid. 2019;10(1):e573.)

When analyzing the cases of dead women victims of domestic violence, urban violence and motivated by gender inequality in Brazil, the numbers are also higher among black women. In the state of Espírito Santo, in 2019, the risk of a black woman being violently killed was 3.7 times greater than that of a white woman, greater than the national risk, which was 1.7 times.(44. Brasil. Governo Federal. Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA). Atlas da Violência 2021. Brasília (DF): IPEA; 2021 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: https://www.ipea.gov.br/atlasviolencia/arquivos/artigos/1375-atlasdaviolencia2021completo.pdf
https://www.ipea.gov.br/atlasviolencia/a...
) Black women historically live with greater situations of discrimination as well as economic and social disadvantages that predispose to this condition.(44. Brasil. Governo Federal. Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA). Atlas da Violência 2021. Brasília (DF): IPEA; 2021 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: https://www.ipea.gov.br/atlasviolencia/arquivos/artigos/1375-atlasdaviolencia2021completo.pdf
https://www.ipea.gov.br/atlasviolencia/a...
,2222. Oliveira CA, Alencar LN, Cardena RR, Moreira KF, Pereira PP, Fernandes DE. Perfil da vítima e características da violência contra a mulher no estado de Rondônia - Brasil. Rev Cuid. 2019;10(1):e573.)

Another finding was the lower frequency of reporting among people without disabilities and disorders. When comparing the data, people without disabilities had 1.78 times more prevalence of exposure to violence. General data on reports of interpersonal violence in Brazil between 2015 and 2019 are similar to those found in this study.(2323. Souza IT, Passos TS, Almeida LM, Almeida-Santos MA. Epidemiological profile of interpersonal violence in Brazil between 2015 and 2019. Res SocDevel. 2021;10(16):e29101623204.) However, it is worth mentioning a study carried out in Manaus, which found low completeness of the field of disability and disorder within the reporting form, which contributes to underreporting cases.(2424. Oliveira NF, Moraes CL, Junger WL, Reichenheim ME. Violência contra crianças e adolescentes em Manaus, Amazonas: estudo descritivo dos casos e análise da completude das fichas de notificação, 2009-2016. Epidemiol Serv Saúde. 2020;29(1):e2018438.) The World Report on Disability addresses the main difficulties encountered by this group throughout their lives, highlighting exposure to accidents and violence as a serious problem to be faced.(2525. Governo do Estado de São Paulo. Secretaria de Estado dos Direitos da Pessoa com Deficiência. Organização Mundial da Saúde. Relatório mundial sobre a deficiência. São Paulo: Secretaria de Estado dos Direitos da Pessoa com Deficiência; 2012 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44575/9788564047020_por.pdf
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/hand...
)

Regarding the aggressor, the male sex stood out (PR: 3.02; 95%CI: 2.88-3.17) and adult individuals aged 25 years and older (PR: 1.09; 95%CI: 1.06-1.11) as the main perpetrators of violence against women, which is in agreement with several studies.(2020. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Viva inquérito 2017: vigilância de violências e acidentes em serviços sentinelas de urgência e emergência – capitais e municípios. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2019. 132 p.,2222. Oliveira CA, Alencar LN, Cardena RR, Moreira KF, Pereira PP, Fernandes DE. Perfil da vítima e características da violência contra a mulher no estado de Rondônia - Brasil. Rev Cuid. 2019;10(1):e573.,2323. Souza IT, Passos TS, Almeida LM, Almeida-Santos MA. Epidemiological profile of interpersonal violence in Brazil between 2015 and 2019. Res SocDevel. 2021;10(16):e29101623204.) In Brazil, from 2015 to 2019, 54.54% of aggressors were men and 50.36% were adults.(2323. Souza IT, Passos TS, Almeida LM, Almeida-Santos MA. Epidemiological profile of interpersonal violence in Brazil between 2015 and 2019. Res SocDevel. 2021;10(16):e29101623204.) Even assessing aggressors according to the victim’s sex, the frequencies remained high, being 84.7% when the victim was another man and 64.8% when the victim was a woman.(2020. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Viva inquérito 2017: vigilância de violências e acidentes em serviços sentinelas de urgência e emergência – capitais e municípios. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2019. 132 p.) Research carried out in Rondônia also found a higher proportion of male aggressors, highlighting the intimate partner bond with the victim as a contributor due to the power relationship established in this type of relationship.(2222. Oliveira CA, Alencar LN, Cardena RR, Moreira KF, Pereira PP, Fernandes DE. Perfil da vítima e características da violência contra a mulher no estado de Rondônia - Brasil. Rev Cuid. 2019;10(1):e573.)

Another characteristic related to the perpetrator found in this study concerns alcohol consumption, where using this substance or being under suspicion of use by the aggressor increased the prevalence of committing violence (PR: 1.07; 95%CI: 1.05-1 .08). Although the highest frequencies are found in aggressors who did not consume alcohol,(2020. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Viva inquérito 2017: vigilância de violências e acidentes em serviços sentinelas de urgência e emergência – capitais e municípios. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2019. 132 p.,2222. Oliveira CA, Alencar LN, Cardena RR, Moreira KF, Pereira PP, Fernandes DE. Perfil da vítima e características da violência contra a mulher no estado de Rondônia - Brasil. Rev Cuid. 2019;10(1):e573.,2323. Souza IT, Passos TS, Almeida LM, Almeida-Santos MA. Epidemiological profile of interpersonal violence in Brazil between 2015 and 2019. Res SocDevel. 2021;10(16):e29101623204.) it is important to assess its association. In a specific analysis of violence perpetrated by an intimate partner, consuming alcohol increased the practice of violence by 1.12 times (95%CI: 1.12-1.13).(1818. Mascarenhas MD, Tomaz GR, Meneses GM, Rodrigues MT, Pereira VO, Corassa RB. Análise das notificações de violência por parceiro íntimo contra mulheres, Brasil, 2011–2017. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2020;23(Suppl 1):e200007.) It is known that alcohol consumption can alter several neurophysiological functions in the body, which can make the individual more aggressive and violent.(1818. Mascarenhas MD, Tomaz GR, Meneses GM, Rodrigues MT, Pereira VO, Corassa RB. Análise das notificações de violência por parceiro íntimo contra mulheres, Brasil, 2011–2017. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2020;23(Suppl 1):e200007.)

Although the present study presents the public thoroughfare (PR: 1.28, 95%CI: 1.25-1.31) as the space with the highest occurrence of reports of interpersonal violence against women, it is important to emphasize that it is commonly evidenced in the literature that the residence is shown as the main place of occurrence of this disease,(1717. Barufaldi LA, Souto RM, Correia RS, Montenegro MM, Pinto IV, Silva MM, et al. Gender violence: a comparison of mortality from aggression against women who have and have not previously reported violence. Cien Saude Colet. 2017;22(9):2929-38.,2323. Souza IT, Passos TS, Almeida LM, Almeida-Santos MA. Epidemiological profile of interpersonal violence in Brazil between 2015 and 2019. Res SocDevel. 2021;10(16):e29101623204.,2424. Oliveira NF, Moraes CL, Junger WL, Reichenheim ME. Violência contra crianças e adolescentes em Manaus, Amazonas: estudo descritivo dos casos e análise da completude das fichas de notificação, 2009-2016. Epidemiol Serv Saúde. 2020;29(1):e2018438.) especially because this is a place of greater imposition of authority and condition of subordination.(2424. Oliveira NF, Moraes CL, Junger WL, Reichenheim ME. Violência contra crianças e adolescentes em Manaus, Amazonas: estudo descritivo dos casos e análise da completude das fichas de notificação, 2009-2016. Epidemiol Serv Saúde. 2020;29(1):e2018438.)

Finally, in this scenario, the health sector stands out, especially primary care and nursing professionals, due to their proximity to communities, families and women’s homes, thus being able to contribute greatly to the process of violence screening and identification, reporting and coping, as well as with measures to prevent this aggravation. It is important to note that in Brazilian territory cases of violence must be reported through the interpersonal violence reporting form;(1111. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. Portaria nº 104, de 25 de janeiro de 2011. Define as terminologias adotadas em legislação nacional, conforme o disposto no Regulamento Sanitário Internacional 2005 (RSI 2005), a relação de doenças, agravos e eventos em saúde pública de notificação compulsória em todo o território nacional e estabelece fluxo, critérios, responsabilidades e atribuições aos profissionais e serviços de saúde. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2011 [citado 2021 Nov 20]. Disponível em: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis/gm/2011/prt0104_25_01_2011.html
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegi...
) however, reporting still has many deficits and low adherence by a portion of health professionals, and they refer this fact to the extent and poor knowledge about the form, fear of reprisals by victims’ aggressors, confusion of the concepts of reporting and denunciation, among other associated taboos.(2626. Silva MM, Ribeiro FM, Frossard VC, Souza RM, Schenker M, Minayo MC. “No meio do fogo cruzado”: reflexões sobre os impactos da violência armada na Atenção Primária em Saúde no município do Rio de Janeiro. Cien Saude Colet. 2021;26(6):2109-18.)

It is believed that the findings of this study can serve as support for the actions and implementation of programs to combat violence against women; however, some limitations need to be observed, such as secondary data analysis, the intrinsic underreporting of information systems and the cross-sectional design of this study. However, it is important to emphasize that measures were taken to minimize some of these limitations, such as the database qualification process. Furthermore, despite the impossibility of establishing a causal relationship, cross-sectional studies are important tools for assessment, monitoring and development of public policies due to their high descriptive potential and analytical simplicity.

Conclusion

Interpersonal violence represented a high magnitude among the violence against women reported in Espírito Santo from 2011 to 2018, being more prevalent among those of more vulnerable ages (children and older adults) and of black/brown color. The main aggressors are also men, aged 25 years and older, and under suspicion of alcohol consumption. The most prevalent place for this reported injury was the public thoroughfare. These findings prove to be important and should be considered when establishing actions to confront and prevent interpersonal violence, but they should be viewed with caution considering that there is still a lot of underreporting. However, even in the face of this, we cannot fail to emphasize the importance of the health sector as a fundamental space for offering care to victims, thus contributing to breaking the cycle of violence.

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Edited by

Associate Editor (Peer review process): Paula Hino (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1408-196X) Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brasil

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    06 Feb 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    2 Feb 2022
  • Accepted
    29 Aug 2022
Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de São Paulo R. Napoleão de Barros, 754, 04024-002 São Paulo - SP/Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 5576 4430 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: actapaulista@unifesp.br