Self-inflicted violence among adolescents in Brazil: An analysis of the notifications made during the 2012-2022 period

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2025.86695

Keywords:

Adolescent, Violence, Self-Injurious Behavior, Epidemiology

Abstract

Objective: to describe the profile of self-inflicted violence reports among adolescents in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, SINAN) from 2012 to 2022. Method: a descriptive epidemiological study based on secondary data from the SINAN, covering adolescents aged 10-19 years old. Data on gender, age group, region where the events took place, schooling level and race were analyzed. Results: a total of 824,430 self-inflicted violence cases were reported between 2012 and 2022, with prevalence among female adolescents (69%). The Southeast region concentrated most of the reports (44%) and the Northeast region had the highest Proportional Percentage Variation (216.66%). Conclusion: self-inflicted violence among adolescents in Brazil is a serious Public Health problem, with prevalence among girls. It is essential to implement public policies that promote mental health and prevent self-harm behaviors. The measures implemented by the Health at School Program and other intersectoral actions are relevant to supporting at-risk adolescents.

Author Biographies

Tarciso Feijó da Silva, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Adjunct Professor of the Public Health Nursing Department at the Nursing School belonging to Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Roberta Georgia Sousa Santos, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Nurse. PhD in Collective Health Applied Ethics and Bioethics. Adjunct Professor of the Public Health Nursing Department at the Nursing School belonging to Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Verônica Caé da Silva Moura, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Nurse. PhD in Nursing. Adjunct Professor of the Nursing Methodology Department at the Anna Nery Nursing School belonging to Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Josinei Feijó da Silva, Prefeitura Municipal de Cantagalo

Nurse. MSc in Public Health. Family Health nurse working in the Cantagalo City Hall Secretariat. Cantagalo, RJ, Brazil.

Nicolle Silva de Menezes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Student at the Nursing School belonging to Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

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Published

2025-06-23

How to Cite

1.
Silva TF da, Santos RGS, Moura VC da S, Silva JF da, Menezes NS de. Self-inflicted violence among adolescents in Brazil: An analysis of the notifications made during the 2012-2022 period. Rev. enferm. UERJ [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 23 [cited 2025 Jun. 28];33(1):e86695. Available from: https://www.e-publicacoes.uerj.br/enfermagemuerj/article/view/86695

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Section

Research Articles

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