Temporal trends in physical violence, gender differences and spatial vulnerability of the location of victim's residences. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cavalcante, Gigliana Maria Sobral; de Macedo Bernardino, Ítalo; da Nóbrega, Lorena Marques; Ferreira, Raquel Conceição; Ferreira e Ferreira, Efigênia; d'Avila, Sérgio
• Is Part Of: Spatial and spatio-temporal epidemiology. Volume 25(2018)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 56
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Violence -- Aggression -- Wounds and injuries -- Public Health; Epidemiology -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sste.2018.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1877-5845

Abstract

Highlights: The occurrence of physical violence against men and women was high. Spatial-temporal analysis can generate valuable information to combat violence and injuries. Violence rates showed temporal trends according to gender, age group, and place of residence. Temporal analysis revealed a growing trend of violence against women and domestic violence. Violence victims may benefit from preventive and informative public policy campaign. Abstract: The aim of study was to describe trends in physical violence among Brazilian victims and investigate spatial vulnerability of the location of victim's residences. This study performed an ecological-level longitudinal analysis, examining violence rates over 4 years. Cases of 4795 victims of physical aggression attended at a Center of Legal Medicine were investigated. Trend analysis was used to evaluate the data, with the creation of polynomial regression models ( p < 0.05). Violence rates showed significant temporal variations according to sociodemographic characteristics of victims ( p < 0.05) and the circumstances of aggressions ( p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant increase in violence rate in the North ( R 2 = 16.1%; p = 0.019) and South ( R 2 = 18.4%; p = 0.010), whereas the rural zone ( R 2 = 10.1%; p = 0.028) presented a decrease. The findings highlight the need for protection policies that address spatial-temporal aspects.