TRENDS AND PROFILE OF CASES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN GUARAÍ, TOCANTINS, FROM 2016 TO 2025

Abstract

Violence against children constitutes a significant public health problem, with repercussions throughout life. This study aimed to analyze the temporal trend and epidemiological profile of reported cases of violence against children aged 0 to 9 years in the municipality of Guaraí, Tocantins, from 2016 to 2025. This is an observational, descriptive, and analytical study based on secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed using the chi-square test and prevalence ratio with a 95% confidence interval. A total of 372 cases were identified, predominantly involving males (57.8%) and with the highest concentration in the 1-4 year age group (69.1%). Neglect or abandonment was the most frequent form of violence (present in 91.4% of cases), followed by physical violence (6.7%) and sexual violence (3.0%). Most cases occurred in the home environment and involved perpetrators with direct family ties. A significant association was observed between sex and neglect (PR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01–1.16) and between age group and neglect (p = 0.044). The findings highlight the predominance of domestic violence and the strong influence of social factors in the local context, reinforcing the need to strengthen child protection networks and intersectoral prevention strategies.