Occupational violence in the nursing team: Prevalence and associated factors

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence of and factors associated with occupational violence among members of the nursing team. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted with a sample of 242 nursing professionals from a university hospital in the southern region of Brazil. The data were collected from January to June of 2018, using a sociodemographic and occupational characterization questionnaire, and the Questionnaire for assessing violence in work suffered or witnessed by nursing staff. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regressions. Results: The prevalence of physical violence was 20.2%; verbal abuse 59.1%; and sexual harassment, 12.8%. The factors associated with physical violence were: being a witness to physical occupational aggression (p<0.001; ORadjusted: 5.757), and, poor interpersonal relationships (p=0.043; ORadjusted: 2.172). Factors related to verbal abuse were: being a witness to verbal violence in the work environment (p<0.001; ORadjusted: 11.699), being a victim of physical violence (p=0.043; ORadjusted: 2.336); and, lack of professional recognition (p=0.004; ORadjusted: 0.361). Factors related to sexual harassment were: being a witness to this type of harassment (p=0.030; ORadjusted: 3.422), being a victim of verbal abuse (p=0.031; ORadjusted: 3.116); working during the night shift (p=0.036; ORadjusted: 0.396); and, being of a younger age (p=0.001; ORadjusted: 0.924). Conclusion: Members of the nursing team were victims of different modes of workplace violence, associated mainly with occupational factors, such as witnessing occupational violence.