The public's mixed emotional responses to violence directed at nurses: A mixed methods study

Factors affecting intent to perpetrate violence against nurses: Theory of Planned Behavior approach

BACKGROUND

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been found to predict target behaviors. The literature examining this model lacks attention to violence toward nurses.

PURPOSE

To explore the association between the public's exposure to violence and intention to employ violence toward nurses, under the TPB framework.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study (705 participants) employed a self-report questionnaire. Path analysis assessed TPB variables' mediation between prior exposure to violence and violent intent toward nurses.

DISCUSSION

The TPB variables, that is attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control, mediated only the association between exposure to physical violence and intention to act violently. Subjective norms were the strongest mediator. The explained variance was 31%.

CONCLUSION

When addressing violence against nurses, policymakers must consider attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control among patients and their attendants. Violence directed at nurses and health care workers reflects societal violence and the "upstream approaches" needed to mitigate violence in health care settings.

Workplace violence against Bangladeshi registered nurses: A survey following a year of the COVID-19 pandemic

AIMS

To investigate the prevalence of workplace violence and its associated factors among Bangladeshi registered nurses.

BACKGROUND

Workplace violence is prevalent among nurses, particularly in developing countries. However, the issue has never been examined in Bangladeshi nurses.

METHODS

Between February 26 and July 10, 2021, this cross-sectional survey involving 1264 registered nurses was conducted. Workplace violence was determined by the Workplace Violence Scale (WVS). A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to find the factors associated with workplace violence. This study complies with the EQUATOR (STROBE) checklist.

RESULTS

Of the 1264 nurses, 885 (70%) nurses reported being exposed to workplace violence in the previous year. Three hundred twenty-four (324; 25.6%) nurses reported physical violence, whereas 902 (71.4%) nurses reported nonphysical violence. According to the multivariable logistic regression model, male nurses, nurses in the Sylhet division, emergency department nurses, nurses working extended hours, and non trained nurses to tackle workplace violence were prone to physical violence. Furthermore, public hospital nurses and non trained nurses to tackle workplace violence were more likely to be exposed to nonphysical violence. Nurses who had not been exposed to workplace violence were satisfied with their current job, but those who had been exposed to workplace violence were dissatisfied and intended to leave their current job.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

High prevalence of workplace violence underscores nurses' current working conditions, which are particularly poor in public hospitals and emergency departments. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic put unprecedented pressure on the whole healthcare system and caused various difficulties for healthcare workers. To develop a zero-violence practice environment, health authorities should implement policy-level interventions. Healthcare staff should be guided to deal more successfully with patients and coworkers to create a positive working environment.