Domestic violence among school adolescents in São Paulo (Brazil): a Public Health issue

Sunday, 17 August 2014
Exhibit hall (Dena'ina Center)
Janaina M Ralo, MPH , Faculty of Public Health - University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Neia Schor, DrPH , Faculty of Public Health - University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Valter Silva, PhD , Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
INTRODUCTION: To identify the prevalence of domestic violence, estimate factors associated and describe the perception of violence in general and domestic among school adolescents.

METHODS:  A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative and random sample of adolescents (n = 656) aged 11 to 17 years from public schools of the extreme south of the city of São Paulo in 2012. The descriptive analysis was presented using proportions, means and standard deviations. Differences in proportions between groups victimized and not victimized by domestic violence were first compared in relation to each factor individually through Chi square test or Fisher exact. For simultaneous analysis of the factors was used Poisson regression adjusted by robust estimate of variance at a 5% significance level. Domestic violence in the six months previous to the survey was analyzed as an outcome. The independent variables considered were: sociodemographic and consumption of alcohol and drugs by family members.

RESULTS:  Among the 656 adolescents, 38.9% (n=255) reported having been a victim of domestic violence, and the brothers greatest offenders (50.2 %). Women were victimized more frequently (44.1%). Significantly and positively factors associated with victimization by domestic violence were: being female (PR = 1.47;  95% CI: 1.20 ; 1.80) and living alone with her father (PR = 1.52 , 95 % CI: 1.11; 2.08). Adolescents have good perception about violence in general, however, when considering violence domestically, do not recognize themselves as potential victims of this violence.

CONCLUSIONS:  Epidemiological studies such as this are needed to reveal the reality of domestic violence and help build intersectoral public politics that consider the gender perspective from the viewpoint of health promotion, substance abuse and a culture of peace, in order to break with the ideal of violence as a disciplinary method of education.