Identification of violence in the hospital environment: perceptions of nurses. (1st June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mnif, M.; Smaoui, N.; Feki, R.; Gassara, I.; Omri, S.; Charfi, N.; Ben Thabet, J.; Zouari, L.; Maalej, M.; Maalej, M.
• Is Part Of: European psychiatry. Volume 65:Supplement 1(2022)
• Page Start: S697
• Page End: S698
• Publication Date: 2022-06-01
• Subjects: violence -- psychiatric departments -- emergency departments; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1796
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-9338

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Violence is recognised by the WHO as a major and ubiquitous public health problem, that is constantly worsening. Objectives: The aim of our work was to estimate the frequency of aggressions against nurses in psychiatric and emergency departments, and to identify the factors associated with it. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study. It took place between January and March 2021, at both hospitals of Sfax (Tunisia).This study targeted 60 nurses in the psychiatry and emergency services. Results: The sample comprises 35 nurses (58%) from psychiatric services and 25 nurses (42%) from emergency services, mainly females (51%) and with average age of 35 years.(+/-9). The nurses interviewed were exposed to violence quite often, in 93% of cases. Almost all nurses (90 %) experienced verbal violence, 70 % experienced physical violence and more than half (62 %) experienced psychological violence. Nearly 11% of nurses reported a sexual violence. Factors that explain or contribute to violence mentioned by the participants were as follows; The Verbal violence was significantly correlated with poor reception conditions (p=0.013). The Sexual violence was significantly correlated with young age of nurse (p=0.005). As for psychological violence, it was significantly correlated with work overload (p=0.004), a poor caregiver-patient relationship (p=0.02) and poor patient care (p=0.04). Conclusions: Our study showed that violence against nurses was frequent in psychiatric and emergency departments. Various factors could modulate their occurrence such as training and improvement of the working conditions. Disclosure: No significant relationships.