Conjugal violence, alcohol use and mental suffering of male users of a primary care unity

Abstract

Study model: Quantitative, descriptive and transversal study. Introduction: Conjugal violence is a serious public health issue that is frequently associated with the consumption of alcohol, creating adverse consequences for the mental and physical health of families. Handling this issue has been a challenge for social policy, especially due to the fear and silence of the victims. Therefore, it is very interesting to evaluate conflict resolution strategies that can indirectly (and subtly) affect violence that occurs in day-today married life. Objective: To identify the prevalence of conjugal violence, alcohol abuse, and mental suffering in men given care (for several reasons) in a basic health clinic located in a vulnerable neighborhood in the outskirts of Porto Alegre. Methodology: 109 men were evaluated, chosen at random, using research tools such as the The Conflict Tactic Scale; the CAGE questionnaire that evaluated current and past alcohol abuse; and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), that identifies mental suffering. Results: The 109 participants were, on average, 39±12.8 years old; 59.6% were white; 75.2% had partner; mostly of low education level; 65.1% exercised manual labor; 80.7% had an average monthly income of three minimum wages or less. In regard to the conjugal conflict resolution tactics, 24.8% were physically aggressive, and 84.4% were verbally aggressive at least once in the year prior to the research. Considerable mental suffering was diagnosed in 49.5% of those interviewed. In relation to alcohol use, 22.9% responded in the affirmative to abuse and dependence and another 24.7% showed risk of abuse and dependency. Conclusions: The study points to a high prevalence of violent conjugal behavior, alcohol consumption and mental suffering among the evaluated subjects. These subjects had various demands and did not necessarily seek the service to resolve these problems. The health services should be aware and promote indirect identification strategies, as well as prevention measures, that seek to combat conjugal violence and its consequences.