Proposing conceptual frameworks for prevention and management of workplace violence against healthcare workers in a Nigerian State.

Abstract

Introduction: Workplace violence (WPV) is one of the major challenges confronting healthcare workers in the developed and developing nations. Standard protocols for its prevention and management are essential for workplace safety in healthcare institutions.

Methods: The conceptual framework was developed using concurrent mixed methods design. Data were obtained from nurses, doctors and health administrators recruited from three levels of healthcare institutions (primary, secondary and tertiary) in Lagos State, Nigeria. For quantitative data collection, 266 nurses and 135 doctors were recruited, while six nurses and six doctors who were union leaders, and six hospital administrators were recruited for qualitative data collection.

Results: This study revealed that objectivity by the health care administrators, treatment policy, anonymous reporting system, training and retraining of health workers, public awareness, increasing the staff strength and providing adequate security measures are essential for reducing and managing the occurrence of workplace violence against health care workers.

Conclusion: In conclusion, to address workplace violence against healthcare professionals, the framework for managing and preventing workplace violence was described and is suggested to be used in the healthcare industry.