Physical violence inside female prisons in Brazil: prevalence and related factors

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.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gama-Araujo,Isabelle Silva, Bezerra Filho,José Gomes, Kerr,Ligia, Kendall,Carl, Macena,Raimunda Hermelinda Maia, Mota,Rosa Salani, Ferreira,Marcelo, Pires Neto,Roberto da Justa
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: ABRASCO - Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva 2020
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-81232020000200623
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