Occurrence of Patient-Inflicted Violence and Knowledge of Staff Nurses regarding Management of Violent Behavior in Psychiatric Wards of Selected Hospitals in Manipur

Abstract

Violence toward mental health staff has been receiving national attention in the face of diminishing resources to treat what appears to be an increasingly violent patient population. Assaults by psychiatric patients against mental healthcare providers are both a reality and a concern as the effects of violence can be devastating to the victim. These victims suffer from many of the same physical and psychological sequels as victims of a natural disaster or street crime. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of patient-inflicted violence and knowledge of staff nurses regarding management of violent behavior in psychiatric wards. A quantitative approach with a descriptive survey and cross sectional design was used in the study. 60 staff nurses working in psychiatric wards of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Manipur, was the sample selected. A structured tool and a structured knowledge questionnaire were used to assess the occurrence of patient-inflicted violence and the knowledge of the staff nurses regarding management of violent behavior in psychiatric wards. The data gathered was analyzed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result of the study was that majority of the staff nurses had experienced more of verbal abuse than physical abuse from the psychiatric patients and also had an average knowledge about the management of violent behaviors in psychiatric wards. An information booklet on prevention and management of violent behavior was prepared and disseminated to the staff nurses working in psychiatric wards. Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers (HCWs) employed in psychiatric inpatient wards is a serious occupational issue that involves both staff and patients; the consequences of WPV may include increased service costs and lower standards of care.