Gender-based violence in Brazil: scoping review of risk factors and associated health consequences

Abstract This study aims to map the forms of violence discussed in the literature, the risk factors of exposure to gender-based violence, and the associated health complications, as well as the regions and levels of care where evidence is produced within the Brazilian context. The review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute’s method for scoping reviews, with a search strategy applied across the following databases: PubMed, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cinahl. A total of 55 studies conducted in health contexts in Brazil over the past five years were included. The evidence indicates that violence is cyclical and transgenerational. Psychological violence is the most prevalent in primary studies, although it is underreported in national reporting systems. Sociodemographic factors such as age, use of psychoactive substances, marital status, religion, and education contribute to increased vulnerability to violence. However, there is considerable variability and divergence across the studies. The findings underscore the need for systematized evidence on best practices for addressing violence in health services.