Trends of violence against health care workers and facilities: understanding the unheard

Sonia Mukhtar 1, Waleed Rana 2 * , Shamim Mukhtar 3
More Detail
1 Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
2 Hainan Medical University, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
3 College of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
* Corresponding Author
J CLIN MED KAZ, Volume 21, Issue 1, pp. 86-92. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/14143
OPEN ACCESS 877 Views 772 Downloads
Download Full Text (PDF)
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, S. M.; methodology, S. M.; validation, S. M.; formal analysis, W. R.; investigation, S. M.; resources, Sh. M., and W. R.; data curation, S. M., and W. R.; writing – original draft preparation, S. M.; writing – review and editing, Sh. M., and W. R.; visualization, Sh. M.; supervision – not applicable; project administration – not applicable; funding acquisition – not applicable. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

ABSTRACT

This paper evaluated trends of violence against healthcare workers and healthcare facilities. It further assessed risk factors, perpetuating, precipitating, and predicting factors. This paper presented a framework on how to address, minimize and control the violence against healthcare workers and facilities in an effective way. It further presented a framework for policy developers and decision makers to ensure the safety and protection of the healthcare profession.
Keywords: Healthcare workers, healthcare facilities, COVID-19, violence, policy making

CITATION

Mukhtar S, Rana W, Mukhtar S. Trends of violence against health care workers and facilities: understanding the unheard. J CLIN MED KAZ. 2024;21(1):86-92. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/14143

REFERENCES

  • Kingma M. Workplace violence in the health sector: a problem of epidemic proportion. Int Nurs Rev. 2001; 48: 129–130. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1466-7657.2001.00094.x
  • Violence against healthcare workers can have a negative impact on World Health Organization (WHO). World report on violence and health. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2003.
  • Mukhtar S, Rana W. Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Model of COVID-19 for Healthcare Practitioners Amidst and Post-COVID-19. Psychiatr Danub. 2021; 33(4): 595-599. https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2021.595.
  • Mukhtar S, Rana W, Mukhtar S. The Development and Psychometric Properties of the Impact of Covid-19 Scale (Ic19-S): A Factor Analysis Approach. Psychiatr Danub. 2022; 34(10): 226-232. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00778-9.
  • Schyve PM. The Joint Commission. Preventing Violence in the Health Care Setting. [Last accessed on 2022 April 19]. Available from: https://www.jointcommission.org/jc_physician_blog/violence_in_the_health_care_setting/.
  • Hartley D, Doman B, Hendricks SA, Jenkins EL, Non-fatal workplace violence injuries in the United States 2003-2004: a follow back study. Work (Reading, Mass). 2012; 42(1): 125-35. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-2012-1328.
  • Mukhtar S. Mental Wellbeing of Nursing Staff during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cultural Perspective. Journal of Emergency Nursing. 2020; 46(4), 426-427 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2020.04.003.
  • Mukhtar S, Mukhtar S, Rana W. COVID-19 Feminist Framework to Address Public Health Impact of Violence, Abuse, and Trauma in Children, Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ Community: A Preliminary Observation. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health. 2021; 33(5), 645–647. https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395211014351.
  • Ullah I, Khan KS, Ali I, Ullah AR, Mukhtar S, de Filippis R, Malik NI, Shalbafan M, Hassan Z, Asghar MS. Depression and anxiety among Pakistani healthcare workers amid COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2022; 78: 103863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103863.
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Guidelines for preventing workplace violence for healthcare and social service workers. No. 3148-04R. 2015.
  • WHO. Violence against Health Workers. Available from: http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/workplace/en.
  • Mukhtar S. 8 minutes and 46 seconds of ‘I Can’t Breathe’: A call for anti-racist feminist solidarity amid COVID-19. International Social Work. 2021; 64(2), 255-260. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872820967417.
  • Rana W, Mukhtar S, Mukhtar S. Countering Emotional and Psychological Manipulation Abuse by Cultivating Resilience, Meaning, and Well-Being Among Victims of Male Intimate Partner Violence – Working Frontline Health Care Workers During COVID-19 Lockdown: A Qualitative Study. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health. 2023. 34 (6-7): 671-674. https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395221107139.
  • U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Service Workers (OSHA3148-01R, 2004) 2007b. [Last retrieved on 2019 April 19]. Available from: http://www.osha.gov/index.html.
  • Violence: Occupational Hazards in Hospital. Cincinnati, OH, USA: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; 2002. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Kamchuchat C, Chongsuvivatwong V, Oncheunjit S, Yip TW, Sangthong RJ. Workplace violence directed at nursing staff at a general hospital in southern Thailand. Occup Health. 2008; 50(2): 201-7. https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.O7001.
  • Mukhtar S, Mukhtar S. Letter to the Editor: Mental Health and Psychological Distress in People with Diabetes during COVID-19. Metabolism. 2020: 108, 154248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154248.
  • Rana W, Mukhtar S, Mukhtar S. Job satisfaction, performance appraisal, reinforcement and job tasks in medical healthcare professionals during the COVID‐19 pandemic outbreak. The International Journal of Health Planning and Management. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3476.
  • Bullying of junior doctors in Pakistan: A cross-sectional survey. Singapore Med J. 2010; 51(7): 592-5.
  • Addressing violence against health care in Peshawar a mixed methods study. (2018). International committee of the Red Cross
  • A matter of life and death tackling violence against health care in Pakistan, Peru and El Salvador (2017). International Committee of the Red Cross.
  • lsaleem SA, Alsabaani A, Alamri RS, et al. Violence towards healthcare workers: A study conducted in Abha City, Saudi Arabia. J Family Community Med. 2018; 25(3): 188–193. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_170_17.
  • Mukhtar S. Mental Health and Psychosocial Aspects of Coronavirus Outbreak in Pakistan: Psychological Intervention for Public Mental Health Crisis. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. 2020; 51: 102069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102069.
  • Mukhtar S. Pakistanis’ mental health during the COVID-19. Asian journal of psychiatry. 2020: 51: 102127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102127.
  • Findor MJ, McGovern PM, Wall M, et al. Risk factors for work related violence in a health care organization. Inj Prev. 2004; 10 (5): 296-302. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.2003.004747.
  • Joey Arnello. House Wiki. Accessed April 16, 2019. https://house.fandom.com/wiki/Joey_Arnello.
  • IFRC. 2010. Global strategy on violence prevention, mitigation and response (2010–2020).
  • Mukhtar S. Public Health Aspects of Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence Abuse and Trauma (DIVAT) during COVID-19 Quarantine: Imbalanced Power Dynamic and Sexual, Emotional, and Psychological Abuse. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2023; 35(4): 301-303. https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395231164439.
  • Jessica Cadesky. Health Care in Danger and Gender. Swedish Red Cross. (2015).
  • Privitera M, Weisman R, Cerulli C, Tu X, Groman A. Violence toward mental health staff and safety in the work environment. Occup Med. 2005; 55: 480-86. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqi110.
  • Mukhtar S. Experiences, Challenges, and Lessons Learned From COVID-19: A Case Study of Mental Health in Pakistan. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 2024, 18, e11. https://doi:10.1017/dmp.2024.2
  • Chen WC, Hwu HGH, Kung SM, Chiu HJ, Wang JD. Prevalence and determinants of workplace violence of health care workers in a psychiatric hospital in Taiwan. J Occup Health 2008; 50: 2888-93. https://doi.org/10.1539/joh.L7132.
  • Ryan D, Maguire J. Aggression and violence- A problem in Irish Accident and Emergency departments? J Nurs Manag. 2006; 14(2): 106-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2934.2006.00571.x.
  • Schablon A, Zeh A, Wendeler D. Frequency and consequences of violence and aggression towards employees in the German healthcare and welfare system: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2012; 2: e001420. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2012-00142015.
  • Algwaiz WM, Alghanim SA. Violence exposure among healthcare professionals in Saudi public hospitals. A preliminary investigation. Saudi Med J. 202; 33(1): 76-82.
  • Franz S, Zeh A, Schablon A, Kuhnert S, Nienhaus A. Aggression and violence against health care workers in Germany – a cross sectional retrospective survey. BMC Health Services Research 2010; 10: 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-10-51.
  • Qadri H, Kumar S, Rafique Khan H, et al. Changes in Lifestyle, Health Practices, and Perceived Anxiety amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted on the General Population of Pakistan. Medical journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 2021; 35 (1) :1382-1388. https://doi.org/10.47176/mjiri.35.195.
  • Rana W, Mukhtar S, Mukhtar, S. COVID-19 in Pakistan: Current status, challenges and recommendations. Journal of Clinical Medicine of Kazakhstan. 2020; 3(57): 48-52. https://doi.org/10.23950/1812-2892-JCMK-00766.
  • Mukhtar S, Mukhtar S. The Hidden Shadow Pandemic of Marital Rape During COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: A Critical Role of Women’s March for Awareness of Rape, Consent, and Sexual and Reproductive Rights. Journal of Psychosexual Health. 2022; 4(2): 80-94. https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318221089415.
  • Habermann M, Uys L. Introductory remarks: violence in nursing– international perspectives. Violence in nursing International perspectives. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 2003. 13-27.
  • Sands N. An ABC approach to assessing the risk of violence of triage. Australian Emergency Nursing Journal. 2007; 10, 107-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aenj.2007.05.002.
  • Celik SS, Celik Y, Agirbus I, Vgurluog O. Verbal and physical abuse against nurses in turkey. International nursing review. 2007; 54: 359-360. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-7657.2007.00548.x.
  • Abbas MA, Fiala, LA, Abdel Rahman, AG, Fahim, AE. Epidemiology of work place violence against nursing staff in Ismailia Govern rate, Egypt. Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association. 2010; 85: 1-5.
  • Mukhtar S, Mahmood Z. Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support between Perceived Parenting Styles and Relational Aggression in Adolescents. J Aggress Maltreatment Trauma. 2018; 27(8): 831-845. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2018.1468842.
  • Mukhtar S, Mukhtar S, Mahmood Z. A Correlational Approach to Relational Aggression: Assessing Individual, Family and Classroom Variables/Determinants of Relational Aggression among Adolescents. Bahria Journal of Professional Psychology. 2022; 21(1): 28–51.
  • Mukhtar S. Dilemmas in School Counseling Services. Bahria Journal of Professional Psychology. 2019. 18(2): 21–32.
  • Mukhtar S, Mahmood Z. Prevalence and associated factors of relational aggression in educated adolescents. Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society. 2019; 16(2).
  • Sendzum, EK. Violence Towards nursing staff. In Emergency departments in one Turkish. City in International Nursing review, 2005. 52(2), 154-160. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-7657.2005.00420.x.
  • Gerberich SG, Church TR, McGovern PM, Hansen HE, Nachreiner NM, Geisser MS, et al. An epidemiological study of the magnitude and consequences of work related violence: the Minnesota Nurses’ Study. Occup Environ Med 2004; 61: 495-503.
  • Voyer P, Verreault R, Azizah G, Desrosiers J, Champoux N, Bèdard A. Prevalence of physical and verbal aggressive behaviors and associated factors among older adults in long-term care facilities. BMC Geriatrics 2005; 5: 1-13
  • Estryn-Behar M, van der Heijden B, Camerino D, Fry C, Le Nezet O, Conway PM, Hasselhorn HM. Violence risk in nursing-results from the European “NEXT” study. Occup Med 2008; 58: 107-14
  • Zeh A, Schablon A, Wohlert C, Richter D, Nienhaus A. Violence and Aggression in Care-Related Jobs - A Literature Overview (Artikel in German) Gewalt und Aggression in Pflegeund Betreuungsberufen Ein Literaturüberblick. Gesundheitwesen 2009; 71: 449-59.
  • Law Commission, 1995, Liability for all psychiatric illness, a consultation paper, No 137 HMSO, London, UK.
  • Mukhtar S. Feminism and gendered impact of COVID‐19: Perspective of a counselling psychologist. Gender, Work & Organization, 2020; 27(5), 827-832. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12482.
  • Mukhtar S. Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence, Abuse, and Trauma During COVID-19 Lockdown: Gaslighting, Non-consensual Condom Removal, Grooming, Coercive Control, Power Dynamic, and Sexual Entitlement in Emotional and Psychological Abuse. Journal of Psychosexual Health. 2024: 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318231225050.
  • Lancaster Group, 2000, Stress and how to survive it, Nottingham, UK.
  • Changing behavior tackling violence against health care in Niger, the Central African Republic and Nigeria. International Committee of the Red Cross. 2018.
  • ICRC, Violent incidents affecting the delivery of health care – January 2012 to December 2013, ICRC, Geneva, 2014.
  • International Humanitarian Law requires healthcare facilities respected and protected without adverse distinction. IHL also provides framework of protecting healthcare during both peace and conflict.
  • Rana W, Mukhtar S, Mukhtar S, Mohiuddin G, Ehmad A. Psychological health of aging mental healthcare social workforce amidst coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2021; 36(3): 461-462. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5456.
  • Mukhtar S. Mental Health and Emotional Impact of COVID-19: Applying Health Belief Model for Medical Staff to General Public of Pakistan. Brain Behavior, and Immunity. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.012.
  • Resolution 5 – Health Care in Danger. Respecting and Protecting Health Care. 31st International Conference of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Geneva, Switzerland, 28 November-1 December 2011.
  • A matter of life and death tackling violence against health care in Pakistan, Peru and El Salvador (2017). International Committee of the Red Cross.
  • Mukhtar S. Psychological health during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic outbreak. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2020; 66(5): 512–516. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020925835.
  • Mukhtar S. Psychology and politics of COVID-19 misinfodemics: Why and how do people believe in misinfodemics? International Sociology, 2021; 36(1): 111-123. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0268580920948807.
  • Aqsa Sajid. Violence against Healthcare in Pakistan: Social and Humanitarian Implications. Journal of pioneering medical sciences. 2016. Retrieved from http://blogs.jpmsonline.com/2016/01/05/violence-against-healthcare-in-pakistan-social-and-humanitarian-implications/.
  • Fitzwater E, Gates D. Violence and home healthcare. Home Health Nurse. 2000; 18: 596-605. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004045-200010000-00012.
  • Hasan MM, Sujan SH, Tasnim R, Siddique AB, et al. Joblessness and Suicidal Ideation Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Survey in Bangladesh. Am J Med Public Health. 2021; 2 (4), 1027.
  • Mukhtar S. COVID-19 feminist framework and biopsychosocial-spiritual perspective for social workers and mental health practitioners to manage violence, abuse, and trauma against children, women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ during and post-COVID-19. International Social Work. 2022; 66 (1). https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728211067158.
  • Ethical principles of health care in times of armed conflict and other emergencies (2018). International Committee of the Red Cross.
  • Mukhtar S. Preparedness and proactive infection control measures of Pakistan during COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2020; 17 (1): 2052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.04.011.
  • International Committee of the Red Cross, Preventing and Repressing International Crimes: Towards an ‘Integrated’ Approach Based on Domestic Practice: Report of the Third Universal Meeting of National Committees for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law, Chapter 5, 2012, https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/publication/p4138.htm.
  • Mukhtar S, Rana W. COVID-19 and individuals with mental illness in psychiatric facilities. Psychiatry Research. 2020; 289: 113075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113075.
  • Rana W, Mukhtar S, Mukhtar S. Mental Health of Medical Workers in Pakistan during the Pandemic COVID-19 Outbreak. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. 2020; 51: 102080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102080.