Factors related to the institutionalization of children and adolescents received in the district of Uberaba - MG

Objective: To describe the socio-demographic profile and factors related to the institutionalization of children and adolescents received in the District of Uberaba in 2009. Methods: Descriptive, documental, retrospective study, which included all children and adolescents who have been housed, by judicial decision, in the District of Uberaba-MG, Brazil, in 2009. Data collected from the judicial proceedings was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Of 169 children and adolescents received in 2009, 82 (51.47%) were female. Ages between 4 and 6 (33 - 19.53%) and between 13 to 15 (30 - 17.75%) were the most prevalent age groups. Among school-age children, only 41(24.26%) had education level appropriate to age. In 109 (65.08%) of cases, the father figure was not identified as present within the family composition. The main reasons for institutional sheltering were negligence, socio-economic conditions of the family, use of alcohol and drugs by those responsible, abuse, abandonment, physical violence and sexual violence. Conclusions: Data point to the process of social vulnerability experienced by families, which raises the articulation and strengthening of policies and intersectoral actions, with active partipation of the society, seeking the promotion of better living and health conditions for children and adolescents.