Métodos utilizados por profissionais de saúde, durante a pandemia da Covid-19, frente a suspeita de maus tratos infantis

Abstract

Violence is a public health problem, with child abuse being one of the main global phenomena that requires immediate and effective preventive actions. The present work also has a general objective to understand the strategies used by health professionals, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when faced with suspected child abuse. This is an exploratory, descriptive study with a quantitative approach. The population of this study was made up of 37 professionals working in Basic Health Units in the Urban area of the Municipality of Currais Novos. Data collection took place between the months of October and December 2023. An interview script was used consisting of these objectives and subjective ones. The data were organized and described quantitatively in a table, with the help of the Microsoft Office Exel platform. This research was approved by the ethics committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences - FACISA/UFRN with CAAEE 73841223.5.0000.5568. The results indicate that the majority of professionals know how to identify child abuse (78.37%) and in relation to the increase in cases during the pandemic period, 27 of the subjects interviewed (72.97%) believe in the gradation of the number of cases of child violence during the pandemic period. Participants said they did not discuss the topic (89.48%) in addition to not receiving any training (86.48%). Furthermore, most are prepared to identify (70.27%) and manage (54.04%) child abuse. In this research, participants (86.48%) are aware of possible injuries, pointing out bruises, bruises and injuries as the main ones. However, they present difficulties in identification (78.37%), highlighting psychological violence and parental omission (32.43%). Not that it concerns the notification form, it is the discretion of the professionals (54.05%), and in observed cases of mistreatment they do not make notifications to the competent bodies (45.94%). The work was of utmost importance in guiding public health policies and intervention projects that train health workers regarding child abuse.