Subnotificação e (in)visibilidade da violência contra mulheres na atenção primária à saúde

Abstract

This study aimed to map indicators of violence against women as recorded by primary health-care services in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, and to identify difficulties experi-enced by health professionals in reporting such violence. Epidemiological data on this type of notification were collected in the information system of the Municipal Health Department. Data were produced with a semi-structured ques-tionnaire and three focus group sessions with participation by 270 primary care professionals. The data were submitted to content analysis and were coded, categorized, and discussed in light of a literature review. A central analytical axis was called (in)visibility of violence against women. The data revealed both the recognition of violence as a public health problem and the invisibility that prevents dealing with it properly. Notification of such violence is often viewed as a fuss or commotion, which hampers progress in discussing and acting on the problem.