Abstract

GUTIERREZ, Lydia; HERNANDEZ, M.ª José  and  MOLINA, Leonor. Work-related violence among public health professionals (2008-2012). Arch Prev Riesgos Labor [online]. 2016, vol.19, n.3, pp.166-174. ISSN 1578-2549.  https://dx.doi.org/10.12961/aprl.2016.19.03.3.

Objective. To describe the types of work-related violence and associated factors among professionals of the Navarra Health Service-Osasunbidea from August 2008 to December 2012. Method. This was a descriptive study of reported work-related violence incidents. The outcome variable was the type of violence (physical and/or verbal assault). The characteristics of the victims and the aggression were described using frequencies and percentages. Associations between the type of violence and the independent variables were evaluated using chi-square statistics. Work-related violence incidence rates per 100 worker-years were estimated and rates compared using the rate ratio. Results. 684 attacks were reported (45.4% were verbal). Mental health was the service where most attacks were recorded (51.9%), predominantly physical. Verbal aggression were most common in primary and specialty care. The incidence of aggressions were highest among orderlies (4.5 per 100 worker-years), mental health (5,5 per 100 worker-years) and professionals under 35 years of age (5.9 per 100 worker-years). Rates were similar in men and women (1.6 per 100 worker-years). However, when stratified by professional category, women at the greatest risk were female physicians and administrative assistants; among the men, risk was greatest among male nurses and orderlies. Conclusions. Factors associated with work-related violence, such as location and professional category, should be considered when designing preventive measures.

Keywords : Work-related violence; workplace aggression; patient and visitor violence.

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