2024
- *Obaro HK1, Shehu JS2, Olatunbosun OS1, Aminu BT3, Okonta NAE3, Ibrahim SO4, Otaru M5, Ojo OS1, Lawal AA6
- 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, Nigeria, 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, 3Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, 4Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, 5Department of Paediatrics, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, 6Department of Radiology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina
- GAS Journal of Clinical Medicine and Medical Research (GASJCMMR)
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Abstract:
Violence against
health workers is any act of verbal or physical attack, threat of violence,
or obstruction of curative or preventive health service delivery. Workers
anywhere are exposed to violence at the workplace but the health industry is
where it occurs most frequently. This article is aimed at examining the forms
of violence against health workers, the causes of violence, the legal and
ethical consequences, as well as the way forward in curtailing the menace.
Violence can be either physical or non-physical and includes various forms of
aggression, intimidation, and threats directed at health workers while they
carry out their duties. The situations that lead to such incidents are factors
related to the attacker, the victim, and the health facility. A bad attitude
and a communication gap are two specific health worker-related factors while
alcoholism, drug addiction, and a history of violent conduct are factors
associated with the attacker. There exist legal and ethics-related options
for victims, and they are based on the severity of the incident as well as
local laws. The patients’ safety and care are compromised by violence against
health workers; hence all hands must be on deck to create urgent awareness
and prevent this complex public health issue. |
Keywords:
Health workers, Violence, Workplace.
