Perceptions and practices of Angolan health care professionals concerning intimate partner violence against women

• Published in: Cadernos de saúde pública Vol. 30; no. 6; pp. 1229 - 1238
• Main Authors: Nascimento, Edna de Fátima Gonçalves Alves do, Ribeiro, Adalgisa Peixoto, Souza, Edinilsa Ramos de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz 01-06-2014; Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Angola; Attitude of Health Personnel; Battered Women; Domestic Violence; Female; Females; Health; Health Care Services; Health Personnel; Health Professions; Hospitals; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nurses; Partner Abuse; Perception; Personal de Salud; Professional Practice; Psychologists; PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH; Sex Roles; Spouse Abuse; Violencia Contra la Mujer; Violencia Doméstica; Women's Health; Young Adult; Angola; Violencia Contra la Mujer; Violência Contra a Mulher; Health Personnel; Pessoal de Saúde; Personal de Salud; Domestic Violence; Violencia Doméstica; Violência Doméstica; Violence Against Women
• ISSN: 0102-311X; 1678-4464; 1678-4464; 0102-311X
• DOI: 10.1590/0102-311X00103613

This was a qualitative exploratory study with the objective of identifying perceptions and practices among health professionals in Angola concerning intimate partner violence against women. Semi-structured interviews were held with a senior health administrator, head nurses, medical directors, psychologists, and nurse technicians in three national hospitals in the capital city of Luanda. The perceptions of Angolan health professionals towards violence against women are marked by the cultural construction of woman's social role in the family and the belief in male superiority and female weakness. Despite their familiarity with the types of violence and the consequences for physical and mental health, the health professionals' practices in providing care for women in situations of violence focus on the treatment of physical injuries, overlooking the subjectivity and complexity of these situations. Recent inclusion of the issue in public policies is reflected in health professionals' practices and raises challenges for the health sector in caring for women in situations of violence.