THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CHILD DEATHS CAUSED BY ABUSE IN BRAZIL: AN ANALYSIS OF REPORTED DATA AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

The objective of this article was to analyze the data on the types of deaths from child maltreatment, considering characteristics such as age group, gender, color/race, education, location of occurrence, and the most prevalent death patterns, comparing the data across different regions of Brazil and discussing the public health implications. Identifying deaths due to maltreatment can be a challenge, as it is a subjective issue that depends on individual opinions or prevailing social norms. This study seeks to analyze the epidemiology of these infant deaths caused by maltreatment using data from the Department of Informatics of the Health System (DATASUS), investigating specific patterns of occurrence and the main risk factors involved. The study revealed that the majority of infant deaths due to maltreatment in Brazil occur in children over 1 year of age, with a notable prevalence among males (68%). The leading causes of death were firearm assaults (34.4%) and strangulation (9.6%). The Southeast and Northeast regions accounted for the majority of the cases. In conclusion, given this scenario, it is important to implement policies and early intervention programs to mitigate this serious issue and protect the health and well-being of children.