Citation

Gama-Araujo IS, Bezerra Filho JG, Kerr L, Kendall C, Macena RHM, Mota RS, Ferreira M, Pires Neto RDJ. Cien. Saude Colet. 2020; 25(2): 623-632.

Affiliation

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC). Av. da Universidade 2853, Benfica. 60020-181, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil. isgama.araujo@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva)

DOI

10.1590/1413-81232020252.10842018

PMID

32022202

Abstract

The present study aims to identify the prevalence of physical violence against female prisoners in Brazil, as well as related factors. This is a cross-sectional national survey conducted in 15 female prisons in five regions of Brazil selected in multiple stages. The following types of analysis were performed: univariate analysis; stratified analysis relating the outcome (suffer physical violence inside prison) to predictor variables, using the Pearson chi-square test; calculation of the Odds Ratio (O.R.); and multiple logistic regression. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used for analysis of goodness of fit and adequacy of the model. The prevalence of physical violence inside female prisons was 37.4%. There was a correlation between physical violence victimization in prison and the following variables: physical victimization prior to arrest (p = 0.013), solitary confinement (p = 0.000), mental suffering (p = 0.003), current or previous abusive intake of alcohol (p = 0.011), current or previous injection of cocaine (p = 0.002) and not performing prison labor (p = 0.003). Physical violence has become inherent in the Brazilian female prison system. Continued studies are needed to monitor the situation and to develop  interventions to prevent physical violence inside the facilities.

Language: en