Abstract

BEKELEPI, Ntombiyakhe  and  MARTIN, Penelope. Self-reported incidents of violence towards nurses working in acute psychiatric units. Curationis [online]. 2023, vol.46, n.1, pp.1-8. ISSN 2223-6279.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v46i1.2350.

BACKGROUND: Acute psychiatric units are found to be stressful working environments because of the nature of illness patients present with OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine self-reported incidents of physical and verbal violence towards nurses working in acute psychiatric units in Western Cape, South Africa METHOD: A questionnaire was used to collect data. Chi-square test was performed to determine association between gender, category and experience of violence. Mann-Whitney U test was carried out to determine associations between years of employment and the likelihood of experiencing physical violence and verbal abuse RESULTS: Overall physical violence 35 (34.3%) and verbal abuse 83 (83%) incidents. Most female respondents reported both physical violence (74.2%, n = 26) and verbal abuse (72.2%, n = 60), with (56.2%, n = 18) professional nurses reporting physical violence. Years of employment was statistically significantly associated with the likelihood of nurses experiencing physical violence (p = 0.007 CONCLUSION: Most respondents (74.2%, n = 26) were females and they mostly experienced physical violence and verbal abuse while 28.2% (n = 29) were males. Years of service were associated with the likelihood of experiencing physical violence CONTRIBUTION: The knowledge gained will add on existing knowledge about the challenge of violence experienced by nurses in the workplace and might have an influence on policymakers

Keywords : acute psychiatric unit; nurses; physical violence; verbal abuse; violent incidents.

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