Guarding the Vulnerable: Perceptions of Security and Workplace Violence in Pediatric and Gynecological Care Settings of Karachi

Abstract

Background: Violence in the workplace against medical professionals is a serious problem, especially in developing nations like Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the opinions of medical professionals regarding Karachi's current hospital security protocols and pinpoint opportunities for enhancement.
 Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 414 healthcare providers from public and private hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan was undertaken. The participants' sociodemographic characteristics, encounters with workplace violence, evaluations of hospital security measures, and recommendations for enhancement were all encompassed in the questionnaire. The data were analysed utilising descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression.
 Results: A significant proportion of the participants expressed discontentment with security standards, citing insufficient staffing (71.7%), absence of monitoring systems (72.7%), and inadequate access control guidelines (64.7%). A greater frequency of reported workplace violence was substantially correlated with overall dissatisfaction with security (82.3% vs. 58.1%, p < 0.001). The results of multinomial logistic regression showed that being a nurse (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.12-2.68) and being dissatisfied with security measures (OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.87-5.52) were independent risk factors for workplace violence. Increasing security staff, improving surveillance systems, and fortifying access control protocols were among the recommendations for improvement.
 Conclusions: Improved hospital security measures are essential to address workplace violence against healthcare providers in Karachi. Implementing the recommended strategies can create a safer work environment and enhance the quality of patient care.
 Keywords: Workplace violence, healthcare providers, hospital security, Karachi, Pakistan, perceptions.