VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: MEANINGS AND ATITUDES BY FAMILY HEALTH STRATEGY TEAMS

Abstract

This study sought to understand the meanings attributed by Family Health Strategy professionals on violence against children and adolescents, and their attitudes toward violence evidences noted in health care context. Qualitative social health research developed from February to September 2009 with 18 professionals of four Family Health Strategy teams in Goiânia - Brazil. Data collection was performed by semi-structured interview and analyzed through content analysis as thematic modality, that generated categories as “violence meanings”; “reasons for violence”; “procedures in dealing with victims of violence”; and “ways for preventive programs”. The participant professionals understand the social issues as one of the major reasons for violence occurrence within families, being the preventive actions and reference to judicial or more complex health institutions as the most significant attitudes.