Descriptive study of reported cases of sexual violence and specialized care services in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019.

Abstract

to describe the sociodemographic profile of reported cases of sexual violence (SV) and the distribution of care services for this health condition in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019. this was a descriptive study of the cases of sexual violence reported on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System and care services registered in the National Health Establishment Registry. a total of 4,418 notifications of SV were identified during the study period, representing more than 12 notifications per day; the majority of notifications were among females (87.0%) and among children and adolescents (72.0%); the distribution of care services showed care gaps in four of the 14 health macro-regions of the state of Minas Gerais; the maximum distances traveled to access referral services ranged from 93 to 327 km. the scarcity of care services for people subjected to sexual violence in the micro-regions and macro-regions of Minas Gerais highlights the need for planning public policies aimed at increasing access to these services. Over 12 notifications of sexual violence were reported per day in the state of Minas Gerais in 2019, with a higher prevalence in females, children and adolescents, mixed-race/Black people. Care gaps were identified in four macro-regions of the state. There was a need for victims to travel long distances to receive care in municipalities with referral services for comprehensive care for sexual violence, which may hinder access and timely care. It is expected that the results can contribute to improving public policies, considering the need to strategically plan the location of specialized services for people subjected to sexual violence.