Intentional homicides of women with prior notification of violence

Abstract

Objective

To describe the profile of women victims of intentional homicides and with prior notification of violence.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study carried out in the state of Pernambuco from 2012 to 2016. Probabilistic relationship was used between all notifications of violence against women registered in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases, and the homicides of women, registered in the Mortality Information System.

Results

121 homicides were identified with previous reports of violence. Women were single (88.9%), black (91.7%) and had less than seven years of study (80.9%). Physical aggression was the most reported type of violence (65.8%), occurring at home (66.7%) and committed by a partner/ex-intimate partner (51.9%). Firearm firing was the main method used (44.6%) and death occurred in a health facility (41.3%). Women with prior notification of violence had a 65.9 times higher risk of homicide when compared to the general population of women.

Conclusion

Describing the profile of women victims of homicides, with prior notification of violence, can contribute for formulating public policies for the protection and prevention of violence against women.

Homicide; Violence against women; Helath information systems; Vital statistics; Mortality registries