Violence Prevention and Health Promotion Centers: advances and challenges

Abstract This article analyzed the Violence Prevention and Health Promotion Centers (NPVPS) implementation process established by the National Policy for Reducing Morbimortality from Accidents and Violence (PNRMAV). We provided a historical background of its creation. We analyzed data from 531 questionnaires and 63 interviews from an evaluative survey with managers and professionals from the three care levels on the topic. We described quantitative data and performed a content analysis of the interviews. We identified state centers in 56.2% of primary care units, 63.5% in hospital and pre-hospital units, and 54.4% in rehabilitation units, and municipal centers in 18.8% of the first, 31.5% of the second, and 29.1% of the third. The State centers support 83.8% of the primary care units in the municipalities, 84.1% of pre-hospital and hospital care, and 79.2% of rehabilitation units. Municipal centers support Health Units in the following proportions: 96.2% of primary care, 97.1% of pre-hospital and hospital care, and 93.1% of rehabilitation units. The study found several problems in the centers’ functioning, although the respondents reaffirmed the support they receive.