Workplace violence against nurses in rural governmental hospitals in Jordan

Background

Rural hospitals in low-income countries have limited resources and services. Nurses in these settings are more susceptible to workplace violence (WPV) and deserve significant attention.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of WPV (verbal and physical) against nurses who work in rural hospitals in Jordan.

Method

A descriptive cross-sectional survey on WPV among nurses who worked in rural governmental hospitals (n = 431). A modified version of the questionnaire developed by ILO/International Council of Nurses/World Health Organization/Public Services International Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Study – Questionnaire was utilised.

Result

Out of 431 nurses who worked in the selected hospitals, 81% faced verbal violence, and one quadrant faced physical violence (25.5%). In the last year, 49.1% and 55.5% of participants experienced physical and verbal violence, respectively. Exposed to physical violence, most frequently were males (14.4%) under 30 years old (14.8%) and married (12.5%). Verbal violence was predominantly experienced by females (45.2%), those under 30 years old (44.5%), and when dealing with both genders (76.8%). Most of the relatives of patients were the perpetrators of both forms of violence. Participants’ gender, age, education level, and the patient’s gender were associated factors with experiencing verbal and physical violence.

Conclusion/Implication for future practice

The greater incidence rate of WPV among nurses in rural hospitals reflects the need to implement effective preventive measures and security protocols and build progressive training and supervision systems for healthcare providers to address conflict management and de-escalation techniques tailored to the specific needs of nurses in rural hospitals. As a result, Jordan’s governments and non-governmental organisations have to devote more time, money, and effort to promoting awareness in rural population cities about the need to combat violence against nurses.