ASSESSMENT OF OCCURRENCE AND FACTORS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS NURSES BY PATIENTS AND RELATIVES, IN A TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTION, BENIN CITY

Abstract

Workplace violence is a significant issue in healthcare, particularly in emergency departments, where nurses frequently encounter high-stress situations that increase the risk of violent incidents. This study assessed the occurrence and contributing factors of violence against nurses in a tertiary health institution in Benin City using a descriptive cross-sectional survey. A census sampling technique was used to include 100 emergency department nurses. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, descriptive statistics like percentages and frequencies were used to illustrate the occurrence, types and contributing factors of Violence. The study revealed a high occurrence of workplace violence, with 86% of nurses experiencing verbal abuse and 28% encountering physical violence. Overcrowding (55%), long waiting times (60%), and patient intoxication (70%) were identified as key contributing factors. Additionally, 82% of nurses reported workplace violence affecting their job satisfaction, while 50% indicated a decline in motivation and emotional well-being. The study concluded that workplace violence has severe implications for nurse safety, job satisfaction, and overall healthcare quality. It underscores the need for targeted interventions, such as enhanced security measures, staff training, and improved hospital policies, to mitigate violence in emergency departments. Keywords: Occurrence, Workplace violence, Nurses, Emergency Departments.