PROFILE OF MAXILLOFACIAL INJURIES IN WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY IN THE CITY OF JOÃO PESSOA, PARAÍBA

Abstract

Violence against women manifests itself in various forms, including psychological abuse, threats, physical assaults, and femicide, frequently associated with dental and maxillofacial trauma. This study aimed to describe the profile of domestic and community violence against women and to identify patterns of oro-maxillofacial trauma from an odontolegal perspective. To this end, data from the Legal Medicine and Dentistry Center of the metropolitan region of João Pessoa, covering the period from January to December 2019, were analyzed. Victims of physical assault who underwent forensic examination were included, excluding records unavailable due to legal issues. Data collection used a form containing sociodemographic variables, characteristics of the violence, and trauma. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed, with logistic regression using the backward Wald method and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, using SPSS 22.0 software. It was observed that most victims were between 30 and 59 years old, had a partner, were salaried employees, and had low levels of education. The aggressors were predominantly men, usually partners of the victims. The assaults occurred mainly on Sundays, at night, in the home, and mostly without the use of weapons. The most frequent pattern was multiple bodily traumas, while isolated facial traumas mainly affected the orbital region. It is concluded that it was possible to outline the profile of the violence and highlight an association between unarmed assaults and a higher probability of facial trauma.