ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to discuss the use of crack in the form of “virado” as a harm reduction strategy in Pernambuco, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews were conducted regarding aspects related to the culture of crack use with 39 crack users between March and August 2016. Participants were recruited using saturation criteria and data were analyzed through content analysis. Respondents discussed the use of “virado” and compared its effects in relation to crack, addressing improvement in interpersonal relationships, libido, and non-compulsive drug use, which can all be understood as harm reduction strategies. On the other hand, equipment sharing for the use of “virado” was identified as a high-risk practice with regards to the transmission of infectious diseases. Knowing about the culture of crack use in different contexts is essential in order to plan and develop health care actions.

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio es discutir uno de los usos del crack denominado “virado”, como estrategia de reducción de daños entre las personas que usan crack en Pernambuco, Brasil. Se realizó una investigación cualitativa y transversal. Desde marzo hasta agosto de 2016, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas sobre la cultura del uso de crack a 39 personas que usan esta substancia. El límite de participantes se estableció por el criterio de saturación. Los datos se analizaron con la técnica de análisis de contenido. Las personas que participaron relataron que el virado es una manera distinta de utilizar el crack y, al comparar su efecto con el uso fumado o inhalado, mencionaron que el virado produce menos impacto en las relaciones interpersonales y en la libido, además de reducir el uso compulsivo de crack, cuestiones que se podrían considerar como estrategias de reducción de daños. Un aspecto negativo es que comparten los canutos para aspirar el virado, lo cual es una situación de riesgo para la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas. Conocer la cultura del uso del crack en distintas formas y situaciones es imprescindible para la planificación y desarrollo de acciones de atención a la salud.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to discuss the use of crack in the form of “virado” as a harm reduction strategy in Pernambuco, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews were conducted regarding aspects related to the culture of crack use with 39 crack users between March and August 2016. Participants were recruited using saturation criteria and data were analyzed through content analysis. Respondents discussed the use of “virado” and compared its effects in relation to crack, addressing improvement in interpersonal relationships, libido, and non-compulsive drug use, which can all be understood as harm reduction strategies. On the other hand, equipment sharing for the use of “virado” was identified as a high-risk practice with regards to the transmission of infectious diseases. Knowing about the culture of crack use in different contexts is essential in order to plan and develop health care actions.

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio es discutir uno de los usos del crack denominado “virado”, como estrategia de reducción de daños entre las personas que usan crack en Pernambuco, Brasil. Se realizó una investigación cualitativa y transversal. Desde marzo hasta agosto de 2016, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas sobre la cultura del uso de crack a 39 personas que usan esta substancia. El límite de participantes se estableció por el criterio de saturación. Los datos se analizaron con la técnica de análisis de contenido. Las personas que participaron relataron que el virado es una manera distinta de utilizar el crack y, al comparar su efecto con el uso fumado o inhalado, mencionaron que el virado produce menos impacto en las relaciones interpersonales y en la libido, además de reducir el uso compulsivo de crack, cuestiones que se podrían considerar como estrategias de reducción de daños. Un aspecto negativo es que comparten los canutos para aspirar el virado, lo cual es una situación de riesgo para la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas. Conocer la cultura del uso del crack en distintas formas y situaciones es imprescindible para la planificación y desarrollo de acciones de atención a la salud.

RESUMO Neste artigo, abordou-se o histórico de violência contra mulheres em contexto de uso abusivo de crack. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, envolvendo 243 usuárias de crack atendidas pelo Programa Atitude, em Pernambuco, entre 2014 e 2015. Observou-se que a maioria era jovem, negra, com baixa escolaridade e renda, início precoce da vida sexual, em uso compulsivo de crack, morando na rua e comercializando o corpo como a principal fonte de renda. A maioria (96,2%) relatou histórico de violência: psicológica (83,5%), física (87,7%) e sexual (55,1%), praticadas por parentes/amigos. Fatores como desigualdades sociais e de gênero foram relevantes nas situações de violência observadas.

ABSTRACT In this article, it was discussed the history of violence against women in the context of abusive use of crack. It is a cross-sectional study, involving 243 crack users attended by the Atitude Program, in Pernambuco, between 2014 and 2015. It was observed that they were mostly young, black, with low schooling and low-income, early start of sexual life, in compulsive use of crack, living on the street and commercializing the body as the main source of income. The majority (96.2%) reported a violence history: psychological (83.5%), physical (87.7%) and sexual (55.1%), practiced by relatives/friends. Factors such as social and gender inequalities were relevant in the situations of violence observed.

RESUMO Neste artigo, abordou-se o histórico de violência contra mulheres em contexto de uso abusivo de crack. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, envolvendo 243 usuárias de crack atendidas pelo Programa Atitude, em Pernambuco, entre 2014 e 2015. Observou-se que a maioria era jovem, negra, com baixa escolaridade e renda, início precoce da vida sexual, em uso compulsivo de crack, morando na rua e comercializando o corpo como a principal fonte de renda. A maioria (96,2%) relatou histórico de violência: psicológica (83,5%), física (87,7%) e sexual (55,1%), praticadas por parentes/amigos. Fatores como desigualdades sociais e de gênero foram relevantes nas situações de violência observadas.

ABSTRACT In this article, it was discussed the history of violence against women in the context of abusive use of crack. It is a cross-sectional study, involving 243 crack users attended by the Atitude Program, in Pernambuco, between 2014 and 2015. It was observed that they were mostly young, black, with low schooling and low-income, early start of sexual life, in compulsive use of crack, living on the street and commercializing the body as the main source of income. The majority (96.2%) reported a violence history: psychological (83.5%), physical (87.7%) and sexual (55.1%), practiced by relatives/friends. Factors such as social and gender inequalities were relevant in the situations of violence observed.