The Prevalence and Predictors of Workplace Violence Among Hospital Staff

Vahid Ghavami; Elahe Daghighbin; Mohammad  Fathi; Fatemeh Kokabisaghi; Hamidreza Shabanikiya

doi:10.18502/jimc.v7i4.16623

Vahid Ghavami Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Elahe Daghighbin Department of Midwifery, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran
Mohammad Fathi Emam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Fatemeh Kokabisaghi Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Hamidreza Shabanikiya Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v7i4.16623

Keywords: Hospitals, Paramedics, Workplace violence

Abstract

Background: Workplace violence has always been a serious chal-lenge in health care systems. It reduces employees’ satisfaction and productivity, and increases the potential for adverse medical events. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of workplace violence among hospital clinical staff.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 140 hospital care staff including nurses and paramedics in 2022. The standard questionnaire of WHO on workplace violence in health sector was used to collect data. To describe the quantitative variables, the mean and standard deviations were utilized, and for analyzing the data, multiple logistic regression model was used. The analysis was performed using SPSS 26.

Results: The results showed that 47.9% of the participants ex-perienced verbal violence at least once in the past year, and 19.3% experienced sexual violence. Regarding the perpetrators of violence, except for physical violence, colleagues accounted for the highest. Most physical violence cases against the clinical staff were perpetrated by one of the patient’s family members. Gender, marital status, and years of work experience were determined as predictors of workplace violence. Married male employees with limited work experience were disproportionately at risk of workplace violence.

Conclusion: Hospital clinical staff were exposed to all kinds of violence, especially verbal violence. Training personnel on the management of workplace violence and enhancing their communication skills and determining the scope, and predictors of workplace violence can help healthcare managers reduce the violence and its complications.