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Background <p>Workplace violence (WPV) in the emergency department (ED) is a global phenomenon that has negative consequences on healthcare workers and the healthcare system as a whole. In Kuwait, limited research has been conducted to assess WPV in healthcare facilities. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and factors influencing WPV among ED staff in Kuwait’s public government hospitals.</p> Method <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted in the EDs of seven general government hospitals in Kuwait from March 2024 to March 2025. The study utilised a self-administered questionnaire. The target population consisted of physicians and nurses working in the EDs.</p> Results <p>A total of 407 responses from 1,542 healthcare workers were included in this study, yielding a response rate of 26.39%. Most participants (62.7%) reported that they experienced WPV in the past year, mainly verbal violence (97.3%). The most frequent causes of WPV were overcrowding and long waiting times. Most incidents occurred in the observation room involving offenders aged 21–45 who were relatives of patients. About 49% reported no consequences from WPV, while 25% indicated reduced work performance. The multiple regression model revealed that female participants (Odds Ratio (OR), <i>P</i> = 0.045), participants working in a specific health district (OR = 2.92, <i>P</i> = 0.009), and those with longer work experience were associated with an increased likelihood of being exposed to WPV (OR = 3.79, <i>P</i> = 0.009). However, it was found that treating both male and female patients decreases the probability of experiencing WPV (OR = 0.35, <i>P</i> = 0.023).</p> Conclusion <p>WPV is a significant issue in Kuwaiti EDs, especially among female and experienced workers, with respective geographical differences. Policies should promote ED safety and reporting of WPV events. Training and well-being programs for ED staff are also necessary.</p>

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Prevalence and types of violence against emergency department workers in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月5日

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  • Muneera Alasfoor,
  • Abdulaziz Alhenaidi,
  • Sultan Alsalahi,
  • Sara Alqabandy,
  • Omar Khorshid,
  • Abdulaziz Sayer,
  • Mohamed Elsherif,
  • Omar Alkandari

摘要

Background

Workplace violence (WPV) in the emergency department (ED) is a global phenomenon that has negative consequences on healthcare workers and the healthcare system as a whole. In Kuwait, limited research has been conducted to assess WPV in healthcare facilities. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and factors influencing WPV among ED staff in Kuwait’s public government hospitals.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the EDs of seven general government hospitals in Kuwait from March 2024 to March 2025. The study utilised a self-administered questionnaire. The target population consisted of physicians and nurses working in the EDs.

Results

A total of 407 responses from 1,542 healthcare workers were included in this study, yielding a response rate of 26.39%. Most participants (62.7%) reported that they experienced WPV in the past year, mainly verbal violence (97.3%). The most frequent causes of WPV were overcrowding and long waiting times. Most incidents occurred in the observation room involving offenders aged 21–45 who were relatives of patients. About 49% reported no consequences from WPV, while 25% indicated reduced work performance. The multiple regression model revealed that female participants (Odds Ratio (OR), P = 0.045), participants working in a specific health district (OR = 2.92, P = 0.009), and those with longer work experience were associated with an increased likelihood of being exposed to WPV (OR = 3.79, P = 0.009). However, it was found that treating both male and female patients decreases the probability of experiencing WPV (OR = 0.35, P = 0.023).

Conclusion

WPV is a significant issue in Kuwaiti EDs, especially among female and experienced workers, with respective geographical differences. Policies should promote ED safety and reporting of WPV events. Training and well-being programs for ED staff are also necessary.