The practice of family health strategy workers when caring for women in gender violence situations

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to describe the practice of Family Health Strategy workers when dealing with women in gender violence situations. It is a qualitative study, conducted with 25 healthcare workers from three Family Health Strategy units in a municipality of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview and analyzed based on the discourse analysis method. The results yielded two empirical categories: expression of violence against women due to gender issues, with display of physical and psychological violence by a spouse, and strategies to face up gender violence. The second category displayed that the unit's actions that do not contemplate gender issues and that referrals to assistance services do not receive counter-referrals. We emphasize the need for Family Health Strategy staff to receive qualification for acting in gender violence situations, and for public management to promote a network structure for assistance services.

Health care for women in situations of violence: discoordination of network professionals

“…In this sense, the health sector needs to know the responsibilities of the professionals and services that may be part of the health care network in order to establish communication with the social equipment beyond its area of coverage, reaching other resources of the community (10)(11) . According to testimonies of the health professionals, the limitations of the network in the studied scenario are related to the services that operate in an uncoordinated way.…”

“…Following these findings, a study pointed out that besides the identification of the violence experienced by the women, the actions of the health professionals should include the initial support to them with subsequent referral to other services (3) . However, the act of referring women to other services may be a way for health professionals to get rid of the problem (10) , leading to revictimization. This revictimization occurs because women in situations of violence need to report again their experience to each service or professional.…”

“…According to the Map of Violence, of 2014, young and adult women in situations of violence were referred in 46.2% and 46.1% of the cases, respectively, after seeking the Brazilian Unified Health System. Most referrals were made to general police stations, women's police stations, Public Prosecutor's Offices, and CREAS (10,21) . In the present study, the professionals reported that the referrals were made to professionals and services beyond the health sector, such as psychologists, public security agents, and social workers.…”

Nursing care for women victims of domestic violence / Assistência de enfermagem às mulheres vítimas de violência doméstica / Los cuidados de enfermería para las mujeres víctimas de la violencia doméstica

“…Quanto (11) Texto e contexto de Enfermagem (Jequié -Bahia) Qualitativa (n=25 profissionais de saúde)…”

Family Relationships in the Context of Gender-Based Violence

“…18 A research showed that confronting gender-based violence by female (and male) ESF staff seemed like it was limited to a discussion about actions by the team, which did not involve women, in view the motivation of a proactive attitude and the citizenship practice. 19 In this context, it is important to reflect about the complexity of violence, crossing generations and unfoldings related to life and health conditions, demanding a closer look by public policies and the assistential network for both these demands.…”