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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Workplace violence towards nurses in Hong Kong: prevalence and correlates

Authors: Teris Cheung, Paul S. F. Yip

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

Nurses are especially vulnerable to violent and other forms of aggression in the workplace. Nonetheless, few population-based studies of workplace violence have been undertaken among working-age nurse professionals in Hong Kong in the last decade.

Methods

The study estimates the prevalence and examines the socio-economic and psychological correlates of workplace violence (WPV) among professional nurses in Hong Kong. The study uses a cross-sectional survey design. Multivariate logistic regression examines the weighted prevalence rates of WPV and its associated factors for a population of nurses.

Results

A total of 850 nurses participated in the study. 44.6% had experienced WPV in the preceding year. Male nurses reported more WPV than their female counterparts. The most common forms of WPV were verbal abuse/bullying (39.2%), then physical assault (22.7%) and sexual harassment (1.1%). The most common perpetrators of WPV were patients (36.6%) and their relatives (17.5%), followed by colleagues (7.7%) and supervisors (6.3%). Clinical position, shift work, job satisfaction, recent disturbances with colleagues, deliberate self-harm (DSH) and symptoms of anxiety were significantly correlated with WPV for nurses.

Conclusions

WPV remains a significant concern for healthcare worldwide. Hong Kong’s local health authority should put in place a raft of zero-tolerance measures to prevent WPV in healthcare settings.

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Title: Workplace violence towards nurses in Hong Kong: prevalence and correlates
Authors: Teris Cheung
Paul S. F. Yip
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4112-3

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Springer Medicine

Workplace violence towards nurses in Hong Kong: prevalence and correlates

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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