ABSTRACT
Objective:
to analyze the epidemiological distribution of self-inflicted violence in adolescents in Brazil, according to the means used.
Method:
a descriptive study of the notifications contained in the Notifiable Diseases Information System, according to the means used for self-aggression and to the geographic regions of residence, in the period from 2009 to 2016. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, chi-square test and the Odds Ratio measure of association.
Results:
self-inflicted violence by poisoning was associated with female gender, age group from 15 to 19 years old, white race/skin color and occurrence at the home. Self-inflicted violence by physical force/beating, sharps and other self-aggression means were associated with the male gender and occurrence in streets and public areas.
Conclusion:
knowing the profile of self-inflicted violence among the adolescents can direct preventive actions by the health professionals, especially in the scope of Primary Health Care.
DESCRIPTORS
Violence; Adolescent; Self-destructive Behavior; Nursing; Epidemiology