Prevalence and Determinants of Workplace Violence among Physicians and Nurses at Emergency Department in Ministry of Health Hospitals, Jeddah 2019

Abstract

Background: Emergency healthcare workers (HCWs) have a high risk of exposure to violence with negative personal consequences. Violence is an occupational hazard in hospitals. Occupational researches have gradually shifted focus from traditional, visible environmental risk factors, such as physical, chemical, biological exposure or ergonomic problems, to the invisible, psychological harm that maybe present in the workplace. For example, violence in the workplace is a possible cause of stress, and can contribute to a greater morbidity of asthma. In addition, it can lead to a shortage of health care workers and undermine the quality of health services; study in Riyadh showed that the prevalence of violence among HCWs was 47.8%, which was considerably lower than 89.3% in nurses in the EDs in 3 public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Because of the increased risk factors associated with violence, the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has made an effort to establish guidelines for the prevention of workplace violence. Aim of the study: To explore the prevalence of physical and verbal workplace violence among physicians and nurses in emergency department at Ministry of Health Hospitals, Jeddah 2019. Method: Cross-sectional analytical study has been conducted at emergency departments (EDs), Ministry of health hospitals in Jeddah city, during data collection period 2019, the total sample has been (175) physicians and nurses. Results: age the highest age was (42.0%) were (30-35) years and the data ranged from (23-50) by mean ±SD (32.55±5.331), (61.1%) were females (38.9%)while males. (63.4%) Saudi, the majority of participated nursing were(70.3%). Regarding age, marital status, place of work, Years of experience in ER department results show a significant relation between Physical or Verbal violence and age, marital status, place of work, Years of experience in ER department. Conclusion: Workplace violence was prevalent, and verbal abuse was the commonest type among HCWs in emergency departments of hospitals. Workplace violence, a possible cause of job stress, has recently become an important concern in occupational health. Almost half of the ED physicians and nurses experienced one or more WPV incident. Encouragement to report violent incidents and raising awareness among HCWs about violence reporting systems are important strategies to improve workplace safety.