Nurses' Perspectives on Risk Factors and Strategies to Control Workplace Violence: A National Survey in Vietnam

Sinh  Minh Do; Nguyet Thi  Nguyen; Anh Thi Lan  Mai; Mai Thi  Thuy Vu

doi:10.18502/ijph.v53i8.16286

Sinh Minh Do Department of Public Health, Nam Dinh University of Nursing, Nam Dinh, Vietnam
Nguyet Thi Nguyen Department of Nursing, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
Anh Thi Lan Mai Preclinical Practice Center, Nam Dinh University of Nursing, Nam Dinh, Vietnam
Mai Thi Thuy Vu Department of Public Health, Nam Dinh University of Nursing, Nam Dinh, Vietnam

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i8.16286

Keywords: : Coping with violence; Nurses; Risk factors of violence; Workplace violence

Abstract

Background: We aimed to describe nurses' perspectives on risk factors and strategies to control workplace violence.

Methods: To accomplish the study objectives, an online cross-sectional questionnaire-based investigation was conducted. The scales were developed in accordance with the guidelines provided by reputable organizations such as the International Labour Office (ILO), International Council of Nurses (ICN), WHO, and Public Services International (PSI), as well as previous scholarly works. Prior to implementation, the validity and reliability of the Likert scales were rigorously tested. The survey, conducted from March to May 2022, encompassed 163 public hospitals in Vietnam and was completed by 2,280 nurses employed in these institutions.

Results: According to nurses' perceptions, several key risk factors contribute to workplace violence (WPV). These include low socio-cultural awareness among patients and their family members, overcrowding in hospitals, non-compliance with hospital regulations, unrealistic expectations regarding treatment outcomes, communication issues among staff members. To effectively control WPV, nurses propose a range of strategies. These include enhancing the quality of hospital services and the hospital environment, fostering a positive workplace culture, establishing a comprehensive system for reporting and responding to incidents of WPV and developing patient care protocols. These strategies are believed to mitigate the occurrence and impact of WPV, ensuring a safer and more secure work environment for nurses.

Conclusion: Workplace violence in healthcare settings is influenced by organizational, clinical, and environmental risk factors. Nurses adopt a multi-component approach to manage workplace violence. This study provides valuable insights for developing effective strategies to combat workplace violence in Vietnam.