| dc.description.abstract | The healthcare industry has been identified
as one of the work places where violence is
most prevalent and nursing has been identified
as the occupation at highest risk of patient related
violence. Patient-related violence in the
health care system is increasing, and it strongly
influences recruitment and retention of nurses.
The objectives of this study were to determine
the exposure to patient related-violence against
nursing officers working in THK and to
compare the prevalence of patient-related
violence against nursing officers in different
units of THK. A descriptive survey design was
used. Setting was Teaching Hospital Karapitiya.
Study sample was selected from all units in THK
using systematic random sampling method. Data
was collected using interviewer-administered
questionnaire. Of 136 respondents, 88 (64.7%) were
exposed to some kind of violence with (n=34) 25%
to physical assault, (n=77) 56.6% to verbal abuse,
(n=12) 8.8% to verbal threat, (n=13) 9.6% to sexual
harassment. There was a significant relationship
(p> 0.026) between the exposure to violence and
the type of wards in THK, the highest rate 85.2%
(n=115 nurses) being in special units with surgical
and medical units having rates of 65.9% (n=89)
and 55.9% (n=76) respectively. Only 33.8% (n=46)
of participants were aware of the availability of
violence reporting procedures in their workplace.
The rates of exposure to violence among nurses
in THK are fairly high. There is a direct need to
create awareness regarding the availability of
reporting procedures and a regular program for
training in violent patient management. | en_US |
