Descriptive study of reported cases of sexual violence and specialized care services in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019

Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2023 Oct 23;32(2):e2022907. doi: 10.1590/S2237-96222023000300002.en. eCollection 2023.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: to describe the sociodemographic profile of reported cases of sexual violence (SV) and the distribution of care services for this health condition in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019.

Methods: this was a descriptive study of the cases of sexual violence reported on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System and care services registered in the National Health Establishment Registry.

Results: a total of 4,418 notifications of SV were identified during the study period, representing more than 12 notifications per day; the majority of notifications were among females (87.0%) and among children and adolescents (72.0%); the distribution of care services showed care gaps in four of the 14 health macro-regions of the state of Minas Gerais; the maximum distances traveled to access referral services ranged from 93 to 327 km.

Conclusion: the scarcity of care services for people subjected to sexual violence in the micro-regions and macro-regions of Minas Gerais highlights the need for planning public policies aimed at increasing access to these services.

Main results: Over 12 notifications of sexual violence were reported per day in the state of Minas Gerais in 2019, with a higher prevalence in females, children and adolescents, mixed-race/Black people. Care gaps were identified in four macro-regions of the state.

Implications for services: There was a need for victims to travel long distances to receive care in municipalities with referral services for comprehensive care for sexual violence, which may hinder access and timely care.

Perspectives: It is expected that the results can contribute to improving public policies, considering the need to strategically plan the location of specialized services for people subjected to sexual violence.

Objetivo: describir el perfil sociodemográfico de los casos notificados de violencia sexual (VS) y la distribución de los servicios para esta condición.

Métodos: estudio observacional descriptivo basado en datos del Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Declaración Obligatoria y servicios registrados en el Registro Nacional de Estabelecimientos de Salud, en Minas Gerais, Brasil, en 2019.

Resultados: se identificaron 4.418 notificaciones de SV que representan más de 12 notificaciones por día; los registros se centraron en el sexo femenino (87,0%), niños y adolescentes (72,0%); la distribución de los servicios mostró brechas de atención en cuatro macrorregiones entre las 14 existentes; la distancia máxima recorrida para asistencia en un servicio de referencia osciló entre 93 y 327 km.

Conclusión: la escasez de servicios de atención a personas en situación de SV en las micro y macro regiones, indican la necesidad de planificación de políticas públicas para ampliar el acceso.

Objetivo: descrever o perfil sociodemográfico dos casos notificados de violência sexual (VS) e a distribuição dos serviços de atendimento ao agravo em Minas Gerais, Brasil, 2019.

Métodos: estudo descritivo dos casos notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação e dos serviços registrados no Cadastro Nacional dos Estabelecimentos de Saúde.

Resultados: foram identificadas 4.418 notificações de VS no período, correspondendo a mais de 12 notificações/dia; houve maior frequência de notificações no sexo feminino (87,0%) e entre crianças e adolescentes (72,0%); a distribuição dos serviços mostrou vazios assistenciais em quatro das 14 macrorregiões de saúde do estado; as distâncias máximas percorridas para atendimento em serviços de referência variaram de 93 a 327 km.

Conclusão: a escassez de serviços de atendimento a pessoas em situação de VS nas microrregiões e macrorregiões de Minas Gerais sinalizam a necessidade de planejamento de políticas públicas visando aumentar o acesso a esses serviços.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Cities
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Public Policy
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Sex Offenses*