Prevalence of Dating Violence among Adolescents from Brazilian Public Schools of Recife/Pe – Brazil

Abstract

Theoretical framework: Dating violence is a serious and avoidable public health issue worldwide, which may have negative consequences in adolescents’ health. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of dating violence in adolescence and to characterise episodes of dating violence according to socio-demographic variables. Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive study, with an estimated population of 4,905 students. Sample composed of 643 adolescents, of which a subset of 260 participants who had a boyfriend/girlfriend at the time of the study was extracted. The following questionnaires were used: Global School-based Student Health Survey and Violência na Escola (Violence at School). Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21. Results: The prevalence of dating violence was 19.2%. Significant associations were found between gender and the questions (victim or aggressor), with more girls being aggressors (14.3%). After the aggression episode, 40% of adolescents felt nothing and 28% considered it normal, 40% of participants did nothing and 36% ended the relationship. Conclusion: A naturalisation of dating violence is observed, thus prevention programs should be developed.