Workplace Violence Experienced by Nurses in Northern Region Hospitals of Morocco: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Workplace violence (WPV) perpetrated against health professionals is a major problem in health sector. It affects health and performance of workers. The aims of this study were: 1) to assess WPV facing nurses in the northern region of Morocco and 2) to identify the related factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the northern region of Morocco from October to December 2021. In total, 391 volunteer nurses working in 13 hospitals were enrolled. A self-reported questionnaire, 'Violent Incident Form' (VIF), was distributed to the participants. It assesses verbal and physical violence. Results: We obtained 98% response rate and 97% of the respondent nurses faced at least one WPV episode the last year. Verbal violence is the most common type of violence. Significant factors as age of the victims (2 = 15.34; p = 0.038) and the assaulters (2 = 27.66; p <0.001), and mental condition of the assaulter (2 = 28.27; p = 0.003) were obtained. According to post hoc residual z test, nurses aged between 40 and 49 and over 60 y.o were more exposed to physical violence than other groups, while the aggressors were younger aggressors (19-30 y.o.) and over 60 ; wherears significant less frequent were cases of aggressors aged between 31 and 50 y.o. Conclusion: A high exposure of nurses to WPV in northern Moroccan hospitals is noted. The significant factors of violence obtained must be considered for the control and prevention of WPV among nurses in Moroccan hospitals.