This study characterized domestic violence against the elderly, from the perspective of beliefs of primary care professionals of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sample consisted of 197 professionals from the Family Health Program. Data was analyzed using analysis of correlation between the beliefs of health professionals and the types of violence, degree of relationship of the perpetrators, correlation between domestic violence and alcohol and drug consumption. In addition the performance of health professionals on suspicion or confirmation of violence was observed, and whether or not they were receiving training. The Results showed that the performance of health professionals was restricted to referral practices and that some of their beliefs were confirmed by literature data. This confirmation may have been enabled by the professional's experience of contact with the reality of domestic violence. Potentially, these health professionals could take action directed towards controling/preventing? domestic violence against the elderly.
Primary health care; Beliefs; Elderly; Domestic violence
