Characterization of notified cases of violence against pregnant women in Espírito Santo State from 2011 to 2016

Abstract

Introduction:
Violence against women has significant impact on several segments of society, mainly violence that represents physical, sexual or psychological threat to pregnant women, since it can trigger symptoms such as chronic pain, recurrent urinary infections, behavioral disorders, depression and suicidal tendency. Objective: Epidemiologically characterizing cases of violence (physical, psychological and / or sexual) against pregnant women living in Espírito Santo State, from 2011 to 2016. Methods: Analyses were based on the Health Information System Notification Service (SINAN) database. Chi-square test was used to define whether there was association, or not, between variables, at 5% significance level (p <0.05). Standardized residual and Cramer’s V values were also analyzed. Results: The age of most physically assaulted pregnant women ranged from 20 to 34 years; they were brown, lived in the urban area, only had elementary education, and were in the first pregnancy trimester at the time they were subjected to domestic violence. The most common aggressors were not kin to the victims and physical violence was the most reported type. The metropolitan macroregion of the investigated state recorded the largest number of notifications. Conclusion: Violence against pregnant women is a serious issue in Espírito Santo State, which has been experiencing increasing rates of different and more frequent aggressions against a significantly vulnerable population. It is necessary improving women’s care network by giving victims real options to report violence against them and find protection.