Violence at work experienced by nursing professionals working in hospital units: an exploratory and correlational studyObjective: to identify the occurrence of violence at work affecting nursing professionals working in hospitals and to relate professional profile variables to this phenomenon.
Method: this is an exploratory, cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational, field and quantitative study carried out with 218 nursing professionals working in hospital units in the 8th Health Region of Paraná, using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Violence at Work Suffered or Witnessed by Nursing Workers. Data was analyzed using absolute and relative frequencies, and the Chi-squared test with Yates’ continuity correction was used to verify the associated factors.
Results: the sample included 218 nursing professionals, 44.0% of whom reported having suffered violence at work, 11.9% physical violence, 47.7% verbal abuse and 2.8% sexual harassment. When the association was made, it was observed that professionals over 30 and who work overtime suffer more violence than other professionals.
Conclusion: in view of the above, it was possible to see a significant occurrence of episodes of violence at work in the last 12 months, with verbal violence being the most frequently reported.
Descriptors:
Workplace Violence; Nursing; Exposure to Violence; Social Behavior; Working Conditions; Occupational Health
Highlights:
(1) Significant prevalence of violence in the workplace. (2) Emphasis on workers’ health for nursing professionals. (3) Verbal violence affects 47.7% of the sample studied. (4) The need for public policies to improve safety at work. (5) Encouragement for further research on the subject.