Factors associated with Violence against Homeless People: cross-sectional study in Sorocaba/2023

Abstract The problem of homelessness (PSR) has been the subject of discussion in various spheres of public policy given its complexity and the need for intervention from different sectors. Analyze the factors associated with the types and perpetrators of violence against PSR, with special attention to drug use, social and demographic variables, variables related to homelessness and to health is very important. This research refers to the PSR present in the Municipality of Sorocaba.The interviews were carried out from August 2022 to July 2023, in places known to be frequented by PSR. This is a cross-sectional study, with 84 individuals. Data collection took place through interviews using a standardized questionnaire. This project was submitted and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sorocaba. The results of the present study show high rates of drug use in PSR, with crack users presenting a more critical profile: irregular eating habits, history of arrest, history of psychiatric hospitalization, reports of various mental health problems, and non-adherence to prevention measures. The prevalence of reported morbidity and psychiatric hospitalizations are relevant in the sample. Victimization due to physical violence, which is predominantly carried out by the police and mainly involves cocaine and crack users, is another aspect that deserves attention. The results showed that drug use is the main factor complicating access to health in PSR, being the main reason for loss of housing, with family conflicts predominating as responsible for the homeless situation of the individuals in the research.