Speakers - WNSC 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Violence is the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development, or deprivation (WHO,2002). Violence against nurses is a complex and persistent occupational hazard facing the nursing profession (Farrell GA, Bobrowski C, et al. 2006). Research indicated that 79.5% had been subjected to verbal violence ( (Celik et al., 2007; Franz et al., 2010 ). The absence of a universal definition for workplace violence within healthcare settings and the ambiguity about what constitutes a violent event currently compromise research on the prevalence and magnitude of this phenomenon. The study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of verbal violence against nurses in Laquintinie Hospital Douala (LHD).

Methods: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional study was conducted on targeted nurses in maternity, surgical, pediatric, emergency, and psychiatric units at LHD from November 2021 to July 2022. A non-probability convenient sampling was used to sample 200 Nurses. Nurses who worked in LHD and accepted to participate in the study were considered. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using Excel software SPSS version 21.0 considering a CI of 95%, error margin of 5%, and- the value of <0.05. Ethical principles were duly respected, administrative authorization (Ref: 005/AHIBTS/D/DDAA/SHS/BSC no/22), ethical clearance issued by the University of Douala (Ref: 3347 IEC-UD/07/2022/M), authorization from the data collection site (Ref: 0024/ACD/MINSANTE/DHL/SG) and participant informed consent was obtained.

Results: From the study, of 200 nurses, a majority of 44(21.6%) current unit of service was pediatric, and a minority of 21(10.3%) were the emergency. The mean age was 31.67, and the majority were females 136 ( 68%). Most of the participants were unmarried (102, 51.0%), and (181, 90%) were Christians. The prevalence of verbal violence against nurses was 190(93.1%), and there was a  significantly positive correlation between the independent variable and verbal violence (P- value less than 0.05). Factors include age, marital status, longevity in nursing, and belonging to a nursing professional association.

Conclusion:  The prevalence of verbal violence against nurses in Laquintinie Hospital Douala was relatively high. Nurses faced with verbal violence were determined by age, marital status, longevity in the nursing profession, and belonging to a nursing professional association, which was statistically significant. Violence affects nurses’ perspectives of the profession and undermines recruitment and retention efforts, which threatens patient care in a time of a pervasive nursing shortage. However, regulatory and educational programs, as well as nursing practice interventions, can be established to ensure a safe workplace environment for nurses.