Interfaces of vulnerability dimensions in violence against children

Ethnically distinct populations and coping with violence against children in the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE

To identify policies and programs adopted by a Brazilian municipality to address violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

A qualitative documentary study. The study setting was the municipality of Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil. Data was collected from official websites between November 2021 and February 2022. Thematic content analysis was used with the support of webQDA software.

RESULTS

Three empirical categories emerged: a) Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on violence against children; b) Action strategies for tackling violence against children in the COVID-19 pandemic; c) Evaluation indicators and targets for action strategies for tackling violence against children.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

The documents revealed few direct mentions of children, especially traditional populations; they presented superficial and ineffective evaluations of the policies and programs adopted, using exclusively quantitative indicators.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the reporting suspected child abuse and neglect (RSCAN) scale for United States registered nurses

PURPOSE

In the United States (US), nurses have a mandated duty to report child abuse and neglect (CAN). Despite comprising the highest proportion of the US healthcare workforce, limited research has explored the institutional barriers they face in reporting suspected CAN. Furthermore, there is no existing valid and reliable measure of reporting relevant to US. The purpose of this research is to develop and psychometrically evaluate a scale to measure nurse knowledge and self-efficacy as CAN mandated reporters.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (RSCAN) tool was developed from two existing international tools to examine institutional barriers and facilitators to US nurses' professional knowledge and reporting of CAN. A convenience sample of one hundred and sixty-six US nurses primarily from the Pacific Northwest responded to an online survey. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach's α were used to examine validity and internal consistency, respectively, of an initial 16-item scale.

RESULTS

A two-factor model consisting of eight items indicated good model fit (CFI = 0.986, RMSEA = 0.049, and SRMR = 0.028) and was internally consistent (Cronbach's α = 0.822).

CONCLUSION

RSCAN is the first US instrument to reliably measure nurses' professional knowledge and self-efficacy of reporting suspected CAN.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Future research can build upon these findings to recognize and support nurses in their mandated role to report CAN.

Recurring violence against adolescents: an analysis of notifications

OBJECTIVE

to identify the frequency of reported cases of recurring violence against adolescents and their association with victim, violence, and aggressor characteristics.

METHOD

cross-sectional study conducted with notified data on violence against adolescents, produced by Epidemiological Surveillance and registered in the Information System of Diseases and Notification (SINAN), from 2011 to 2018, in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

RESULTS

the frequency of recurring violence against adolescents was 46.4%. Higher occurrence was observed among girls (PR: 1.26; 95%CI: 1.15 - 1.38) between 10 and 14 years of age (PR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.13 - 1.28), and people with a disability or disorder (PR: 1.52; 95%CI: 1.42 - 1.62). Psychological violence/neglect was 30% more prevalent in recurrence than self-harm. Most cases occurred at home (PR: 1.56; 95%CI: 1.37 - 1.77). Results showed a 1.11 times higher prevalence of recurring violence perpetrated by aggressors aged 20 years or older and higher evidence in male aggressors (95%CI: 0.97 - 1.17).

CONCLUSION

recurring violence was associated with victim, aggressor, and event characteristics. Health intersectoriality is crucial to reduce cases of recurring violence.

(1) Frequency of recurring violence against adolescents was 46.4%. (2) Higher recurrence was observed among girls between 10 and 14 years of age. (3) Most cases occurred at home. (4) Recurring violence was associated with victim, aggressor, and event characteristics. (5) Results show 1.11 times > prevalence of recurring violence perpetrated by men ≥ 20 years old.

Legal abortion in childhood: the official discourse and the reality of a Brazilian case

OBJECTIVE

to identify the ideological perspectives of official discourses in relation to sexual violence, childhood pregnancy and access to legal abortion based on a Brazilian case.

METHODS

a qualitative documentary study. Data collection was carried out in documents published on official Brazilian websites, between August and December 2020. The analytical categories of gender and generation supported data analysis.

RESULTS

a total of 39 documents were selected and three empirical categories were identified: Protection against violence in the legislation and the (re)production of injuries in reality; Facing sexual violence against children by the Brazilian State; Being a Brazilian girl: gender and generational oppressions.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

the ideological perspectives of official discourses in relation to the case showed a lack of compliance with advances in Brazilian legislation on issues related to child violence and adult-centric authoritarianism, with the imposition of gender and generation subalternity.

Family Aggression Screening Tool (FAST): Factor structure and psychometric properties of subscales

BACKGROUND

The Family Aggression Screening Tool (FAST) is an instrument to screen for experiences of maltreatment using primarily pictorial representations, including direct victimisation and exposure to intimate partner violence. The initial psychometric properties of the FAST were reported in the original research in the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE

This research aimed to replicate and to extend the evaluation of the psychometric properties of FAST in Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Data consisted of 648 youth aged 11 to 17 years from public schools in Brazil.

METHOD

We employed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and exploratory graphical analysis (EGA). Concurrent validity was supported by strong correlations between the FAST's emotional and physical victimisation subscales and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) emotional and physical abuse subscales.

RESULTS

CFA resulted in a solution including second and first order factors, resembling the original structure. FAST's reliability was assessed both through internal consistency and test-retest, showing favorable coefficients.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that FAST has good psychometric properties for the Brazilian population with respect to both its validity and reliability.

Aborto legal na infância: o discurso oficial e a realidade de um caso brasileiro

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar as perspectivas ideológicas dos discursos oficiais em relação à violência sexual, à gravidez na infância e ao acesso ao aborto legal a partir de um caso brasileiro. Métodos: estudo documental qualitativo. A coleta de dados foi realizada em documentos publicados em sites oficiais brasileiros, entre agosto e dezembro de 2020. As categorias analíticas de gênero e geração deram suporte à análise dos dados. Resultados: foram selecionados 39 documentos e identificadas três categorias empíricas: A proteção contra a violência na legislação e a (re)produção dos agravos na realidade; O enfrentamento da violência sexual contra a criança pelo Estado brasileiro; Ser menina brasileira: opressões de gênero e geração. Considerações finais: as perspectivas ideológicas dos discursos oficiais em relação ao caso mostraram falta de adesão aos avanços na legislação brasileira nos temas relativos à violência infantil e autoritarismo adultocêntrico, com imposição de subalternidade de gênero e geração.

Violencia recurrente contra adolescentes: un análisis de las notificaciones

Resumen Objetivo: identificar la frecuencia de casos notificados de violencia recurrente contra adolescentes y su asociación con las características de la víctima, de la violencia y de los agresores. Método: estudio transversal, realizado con los datos notificados de violencias contra adolescentes, producidos por la Vigilancia Epidemiológica y registrados en el Sistema de Información de Agravamientos de Notificación (SINAN), de 2011 a 2018, en el estado de Espírito Santo, Brasil. Resultados: la frecuencia de violencia recurrente contra adolescentes fue de 46,4%. Se observó una mayor recurrencia de este agravio en el grupo de niñas (RP: 1,26; IC 95%: 1,15-1.38), en el rango de 10 a 14 años de edad (RP: 1,20; IC 95%: 1,13-1,28), y, personas con discapacidad/trastorno (RP:1,52; IC del 95%: 1,42-1,62). La violencia psicológica/negligencia fue un 30 % más frecuente en la recurrencia que la violencia autoinfligida. La residencia fue el lugar de mayor ocurrencia (RP: 1,56; IC del 95%: 1,37-1,77). Hubo una prevalencia 1,11 veces mayor de violencia recurrente cometida por agresores de 20 años o más y mayor evidencia en agresores masculinos (IC95%: 0,97-1,17). Conclusión: la violencia recurrente se asoció con las características de las víctimas, el agresor y el evento. La intersectorialidad en salud para reducir los casos de reincidencia de la violencia es crucial.

Gender and race inequalities in adolescent and young adult homicide mortality rates: a multilevel ecological analysis of Brazilian municipalities

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between adolescent and young adult homicide mortality rates in Brazilian municipalities according to gender, race, and contextual characteristics at the municipal and federation unit levels. Methods: This is an ecological study that used secondary data available from the death records of the Mortality Information System and socioeconomic data from the Brazilian Census. The dependent variables were homicide mortality rates among people aged 15–29 years by sex and race from 2015 to 2017. The contextual variables were related to education, income, schooling, and vulnerability. Multilevel linear regression was applied in an ecological model to verify the first- and second-level variables’ effect. Each variable’s effect was estimated using β and its respective confidence intervals (95%CI) and statistical significance. Results: There was a direct and significant relationship between the adolescent and young adult mortality rates and the homicide mortality rates among adults, regardless of sex and race/skin color. However, this relationship was more pronounced among black adolescents and young adults. At the federative unit level, the human development index was significantly related to the mortality rates of black men, white men, and white women. Conclusion: There is racial inequality in adolescent and young adult mortality from violence in Brazil; the rates are related to municipal characteristics, such as violence in the adult population and inequalities in education and social protection.

Violence against children and adolescents: nurse’s actions in primary health care

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the role of nurses in suspected or confirmed cases of violence against children and adolescents in Primary Health Care. Methods: an analytical research, with a qualitative approach. Thirty nurses participated in the study, and data were collected by means of an individual form and a semi-structured interview. The data received lexicographic analysis by the software IRaMuTeQ (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) organized by Bardin’s content analysis. Results: five categories emerged, in which it was possible to consider that the nurses’ approach in cases of violence was based on the identification of violence through physical examination during nursing consultations, health promotion actions in the school environment, request for support from the multi-professional team, and transfer of responsibilities. Final Considerations: it is inferred that the fragility in the professional training of nurses to address situations of violence against children and adolescents produces deficits in comprehensive care for victims.

Violência recorrente contra adolescentes: uma análise das notificações

Resumo Objetivo: identificar a frequência de casos notificados de violência recorrente contra adolescentes e sua associação com as características da vítima, da violência e dos agressores. Método: estudo transversal, realizado com os dados notificados de violências contra adolescentes, produzidos pela Vigilância Epidemiológica e registrados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos e Notificação (SINAN), no período de 2011 a 2018, no estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. Resultados: a frequência de violência recorrente contra adolescentes foi de 46,4%. Observou-se maior recorrência desse agravo no grupo de meninas (RP: 1,26; IC95%: 1,15-1,38), na faixa de 10 a 14 anos de idade (RP: 1,20; IC95%: 1,13-1,28), e, pessoas com alguma deficiência/transtorno (RP:1,52; IC95%: 1,42-1,62). A violência psicológica/negligência foi 30% mais prevalente de recorrência do que a violência autoprovocada. A residência foi o local de maior ocorrência (RP: 1,56; IC95%: 1,37-1,77). Verificou-se prevalência 1,11 vezes maior de violência recorrente praticada por agressores com 20 anos de idade ou mais e uma evidência maior em agressores do sexo masculino (IC95%: 0,97-1,17). Conclusão: a violência recorrente esteve associada às características das vítimas, do agressor e do evento. A intersetorialidade em saúde para a redução dos casos de reincidência da violência é crucial.

Notificação de violência infantojuvenil: percepção dos profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde

Resumo Diante da magnitude do fenômeno da violência infantojuvenil no Brasil, que representa mais de um terço dos casos notificados por esse agravo no país, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a percepção dos profissionais de saúde acerca da identificação e da notificação compulsória dos casos de violência infantojuvenil na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, realizado com 14 profissionais de duas unidades de Saúde da Família do Recife, Pernambuco, em 2021. Os dados foram coletados em entrevistas guiadas por um roteiro semiestruturado e analisados por meio da análise de Bardin. Os resultados apontam que os profissionais reconhecem a sua responsabilidade ética no processo de notificação de violência infantojuvenil, principalmente pelo contexto familiar e territorial no qual estão inseridos. Entretanto, ainda há muitos desafios que interferem na implicação prática da notificação na Atenção Primária, como o medo da violência e de represálias no território e a falta de capacitação. Investir em estratégias de estímulo à notificação, de modo a garantir respaldo técnico-científico, é imprescindível para a consolidação da prática.

Diretrizes brasileiras e portuguesas de proteção à criança vulnerável à violência na pandemia de COVID-19

Resumo Objetivo identificar e analisar medidas de proteção à criança/adolescente vulnerável à violência na epidemia de COVID-19 no Brasil e em Portugal. Método implementou-se a pesquisa documental de diretrizes governamentais expedidas entre março e setembro de 2020. A análise hermenêutica fundamentou-se nos preceitos da vulnerabilidade em saúde e da defesa do melhor interesse de crianças/adolescentes. Resultados recomendaram-se ações articuladas de apoio e parcerias nacionais, locais e interinstitucionais; atuação multiprofissional, intra/intersetorial como medidas de proteção à criança/adolescente vulneráveis à violência intrafamiliar. Destacam-se o estímulo a notificação, investigação, intervenção e acompanhamento de casos. Constatam-se investimentos dos países na ampliação de canais de teleatendimento e estímulo à denúncias pela sociedade e redes sociais. Contudo, há indícios de poucos registros de casos, justificado pelas campanhas publicitárias em Portugal que incentivaram denúncias aos órgãos responsáveis. A proteção à renda e ao trabalho dos provedores da família durante o isolamento social e momento de suspensão das aulas presenciais teve a intenção de protegê-los da insegurança alimentar e do contágio da doença. Conclusão documentos determinaram ações para instituições, profissionais de saúde, familiares e sociedade no enfrentamento da violência intrafamiliar. Na pandemia de COVID-19, é dever do Estado seguir protegendo o direito à vida e à dignidade da criança e adolescente.