INSTITUTIONAL VIOLENCE IN PRIMARY CARE CENTERS, FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF FEMALE SERVICE USERS

Abstract

This is descriptive and qualitative research, undertaken in five Integrated Care Centers, between March and May 2010, with 30 female service users who undertook nursing consultations for prenatal monitoring, family planning and screening tests for cervical cancer. The aim was to investigate the perception of female service users attended in Primary Healthcare Centers regarding the institutional violence in women’s healthcare. The discourses were collected through semistructured interviews; based on the thematic content analysis, the category “Perspectives on the institutional violence in women’s healthcare” emerged. In spite of the institutional violence being presented in a hidden way in the care for the service users’ health, and not being identified as such, the study participants reported dissatisfaction in relation to the access, embracement, and the attendance given. As a result, it is necessary to reflect on the practice of nursing so as to prevent the violation of women’s rights in health care.

Keywords

• Women's health
• Violence
• Health centers
• Nursing