WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AMONG NURSES IN JORNIAN PUBLIC HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Workplace violence(WPV) has become a serious global multifaceted alarming phenomenon that presents challenges to management. Workplace violence can have severe effects, not only on an individual's mental well-being but also on their professional life. Aim: The aim of this study is to ascertain the occurrence rate and impact of three different forms of workplace violence experienced by nurses employed in Jordanian public hospitals, to evaluate the extent to which three types of workplace violence are reported, as well as to identify the factors contributing to the underreporting of these incidents. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted, which involved randomly selecting 410 nurses from nine hospitals in three different regions of Jordan. To measure the variables, a modified and validated questionnaire was used. The response rate from 600 distributed questionnaires was 70.1 %. Results: The result of this study reveal that the verbal violence had the highest incidence (63.5%), followed by physical violence (36%), and the least common violence was sexual harassment (.005%). The nurses who experienced physical and sexual harassment reported that patients' relatives were the most frequent perpetrators of WPV. consequently, of WPV the nurses who encounter violence had a different level of anxiety. The most common causes for underreporting is ‘useless’. Conclusion: The policymakers and hospital administrators need to implement effective health policies and develop strategies to prevent violence against nurses; Further comprehensive research is required to investigate the underlying factors contributing to workplace violence.