VIOLENCE AGAINST HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN EMERGENCY HOSPITAL, TANTA UNIVERSITY, EGYPT

Abstract

AbstractIntroduction: Workplace violence (WPV) among the healthcare workers is an alarming phenomenon worldwide. Personnel at Emergency departments are particularly at risk and are more exposed to violence in their workplace from patients and their relatives or friends compared with other departments. Aim of work: To identify the prevalence of workplace violence at Tanta University Emergency Hospital and its impact on affected workers. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Tanta University Emergency Hospital during the period from September 2017 to April 2018. The total sample size was 340 physicians and nurses. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Physical violence was reported by 30.6% while verbal violence by 76.5% and 16 participants reported sexual violence (4.7%). Exposure to more than one type of violence was declared by 28.8%. The main perpetrators were patients’ relatives (85.6%) while 50% of sexual violence was by unknown visitors to the hospital. Nearly one quarter of victims of physical and sexual violence need vacation after the assault while only 6.9% of victims of verbal violence asked for vacation. Psychological, work and physical troubles were reported by victims. Conclusion: verbal violence came first followed by physical and sexual violence. The victims suffered from psychological, work related and physical effects.