Prevalence and patterns of gender disparity in workplace violence among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis
IF 3.9 3区 医学Q1 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives
Despite the critical value of healthcare workers (HCWs) demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a noted global surge in violence against this population. The present meta-analysis aimed to gather data on the prevalence of workplace violence (WPV) against HCWs and to determine if there is any difference based on gender.
Study design
This was a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods
A thorough search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Lilacs, and Cochrane Collaboration databases was conducted from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic until March 8, 2023. Two authors independently carried out screening, data extraction, and quality assessment, followed by statistical analysis using random-effects meta-analysis and subgroup analysis to assess heterogeneity.
Results
We included 22 studies with 44,357 participants, of which 79.37% were women. The analysis revealed an overall prevalence of WPV similar in both women (51.86%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 41.39–62.33) and men (51.45%, 95% CI: 40.95–61.95). There were considerable differences in gender-based WPV across geographic regions. Aggressions tend to be higher toward men in Asia (odds ratio [OR] 0.79, 95% CI 0.74–0.85, P < 0.001). Conversely, in Latin America, WPV prevalence was higher in women (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01–1.4, P = 0.035). HCWs from low- middle-income-level countries suffered a higher incidence of violence irrespective of gender compared with high- and upper-middle-income countries (72.36% vs 47.35%).
Conclusions
Our data indicate that more than half of HCWs experienced WPV during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, women and HCWs in low-middle-income countries were notably vulnerable to WPV. A deeper understanding of the nuances behind violence against HCWs will help to facilitate tailored strategies for different demographical contexts.
期刊介绍：
Public Health is an international, multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal. It publishes original papers, reviews and short reports on all aspects of the science, philosophy, and practice of public health.
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