Recognition of child physical abuse by a group of Brazilian primary care health professionals

Abstract

Background: Child maltreatment is a complex social and public health problem.

Aim: To evaluate the frequency of the recognition by Brazilian health professionals in primary care of child physical abuse (CPA) and associated factors.

Design: A representative cross-sectional study was conducted with dentists, nurses, family physicians, and pediatricians who participated in the network of the Family Health Strategy in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data collection involved in the administration of a questionnaire validated for use in Brazil. Data were collected from 181 dentists, 235 nurses, 203 family physicians, and 96 pediatricians.

Results: Among the 715 health professionals, 499 (69.8%) had some type of postgraduate degree and 414 (57.9%) recognized suspected or proved cases of CPA. The recognition was associated with occupation, as pediatricians recognized 14.11-fold [OR = 14.11 (95% CI: 3.73 to 53.43)] more cases of CPA compared with dentists. The recognition was also associated with a longer period of time working in the city [OR = 2.79 (95% CI: 1.24 to 6.29)].

Conclusion: The recognition of cases was positively associated with the longer working time in the municipal network and with pediatricians. The dentist was the category that was least associated with the recognition of CPA.

Keywords: child maltreatment; family health strategy; health professionals; physical child abuse; primary health care.