Workplace violence among health-care workers in emergency departments of public hospitals in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND

Workplace violence is a serious occupational health problem. Emergency health-care workers have a high risk of exposure to violence with negative personal consequences.

AIMS: To estimate the prevalence and possible associated factors of workplace violence among health-care workers in emergency departments of public hospitals in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted during August to October 2018 at 4 emergency departments of public hospitals belonging to the Saudi Ministry of Health. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of 380 questionnaires distributed, 324 were returned (85% response rate). Almost two thirds of the participants were women (66.4%) and more than half (54%) were nurses. A total of 155 health-care workers (47.8%) had experienced at least 1 type of violent incident in the preceding 12 months. Of the total violence incidents, 52% were verbal abuse, 19% were physical violence, and sexual harassment (3%) was the least common. Lack of encouragement to report incidents and Saudi nationality were the only significant variables associated with workplace violence.

CONCLUSIONS

Workplace violence was prevalent, and verbal abuse was the commonest type among health-care workers in emergency departments of Saudi hospitals. Encouragement to report violent incidents and raising awareness among health-care workers about violence reporting systems are important strategies to improve workplace safety.