Enfrentando os maus-tratos infantis nas unidades de saúde da família: Atuação dos enfermeiros

Abstract

Violence is considered a serious public health problem, expressed in several ways and different contexts. In this study, children abuse was highlighted, considering the vulnerability and damage to the health of these individuals. This study aimed to know the role played by nurses at Family Health Units regarding intra-familiar violence against children in a city in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The approach is qualitative and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The thematic content analysis was used, resulting in four central themes: "Child abuse: a problem of management?"; "Management and care (inter)acting against violence"; "What was done and what needs to be done in care" and "The 'thousand and none' difficulties". The (in)visibility of child abuse influences the performance of nurses; the unpreparedness of these professionals and their lack of understanding of violence and, consequently, of confrontation, were also identified.