Perceptions and practices of Angolan health care professionals concerning intimate partner violence against women

Abstract

This was a qualitative exploratory study with the objective of identifying perceptions and practices among health professionals in Angola concerning intimate partner violence against women. Semi-structured interviews were held with a senior health administrator, head nurses, medical directors, psychologists, and nurse technicians in three national hospitals in the capital city of Luanda. The perceptions of Angolan health professionals towards violence against women are marked by the cultural construction of woman’s social role in the family and the belief in male superiority and female weakness. Despite their familiarity with the types of violence and the consequences for physical and mental health, the health professionals’ practices in providing care for women in situations of violence focus on the treatment of physical injuries, overlooking the subjectivity and complexity of these situations. Recent inclusion of the issue in public policies is reflected in health professionals’ practices and raises challenges for the health sector in caring for women in situations of violence.

Coping strategies for domestic violence: Testimony of women involved with drugs

“…4,[14][15][16] It was also noticed that, anchored in the belief of inadequacy of the woman's clothing, the spouse perpetrates violent acts as a way of controlling them, which represents a symbolic and imperceptible violence Dealing with domestic violence Carvalho MRS, Oliveira JF, Gomes NP, Campos LM, Almeida LCG, Santos LR in the female imaginary. 17 Thus, gender asymmetry, which feeds the social beliefs of women being seen as the property of men, "empowers" them to "educate" women even if they have to use violence. 14 Still in the light of gender, as a category of analysis, the study points to the social construction of "being a good husband", since the discourse illustrates its root in the idea of the man provider.…”

The (un)receptive experiences of female rape victims who seek healthcare services

“…Research in Angola shows that the practices in the care of rape victims take on a clinical basis, prioritizing the treatment of physical injuries, without considering or contemplating insufficient subjectivity and complexity of these situations (22) . A study in the US with female victims of sexual abuse calls attention to the risk of an unwanted pregnancy, emphasizing women's vulnerability to drug abuse, psychosomatic disorders and post-traumatic stress (23) .…”

Social representation of domestic violence against women among Nursing Technicians and Community Agents

“…A study identifies that in a hospital in Angola, the suspected occurrence of violence is identified mainly by physical injuries such as burns and fractures (15) . Another study states that if the victims have physical injuries, there is a greater probability of health professionals identifying the intimate partner violence, although the victims can receive treatment without being questioned about the cause (16) .…”