Gender-based violence in Brazil: scoping review of risk factors and associated health consequences

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Sciences
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant public health issue with complex determinants.
• Understanding the landscape of GBV research in Brazil is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
• Existing literature highlights the cyclical and transgenerational nature of violence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map forms of violence, risk factors, and health complications in the Brazilian context.
• To identify regions and healthcare levels producing evidence on GBV.
• To synthesize current knowledge on GBV within Brazilian health settings.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.
• Comprehensive literature search across six major databases (PubMed, BVS, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cinahl).
• Inclusion of 55 studies conducted in Brazilian health contexts within the last five years.

Main Results:

• Psychological violence is the most frequently reported form, yet often underreported in national systems.
• Sociodemographic factors (age, substance use, marital status, religion, education) are linked to increased vulnerability.
• Significant variability and divergence exist across studies regarding risk factors and prevalence.

Conclusions:

• Evidence indicates violence is cyclical and transgenerational, impacting health across generations.
• There is a critical need for systematized evidence on best practices for addressing GBV in health services.
• Interventions must consider sociodemographic vulnerabilities and the underreporting of psychological violence.