Experience of workplace violence among healthcare staff in Nigeria: A quantitative systematic review.

Abstract

Background: Workplace violence has significant consequences for both healthcare employees and organizations. The impacts can be physical, psychological, and financial and can affect the wellbeing of employees and the productivity and reputation of organizations. This systematic review aimed to determine the experience of workplace violence among healthcare staff in Nigeria using a quantitative approach.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, African Journal Online, Sage Journals, and ProQuest. Critical Appraisal Skilled Programme (CASP) Checklist was used in assessing the quality of studies.

Results: A total of 1,555 studies were initially identified, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 studies were included for synthesis. These studies involved a total of 769 healthcare workers in Nigeria. The findings revealed a high prevalence of workplace violence among healthcare staff in Nigeria, including physical, verbal, and psychological violence. The most common perpetrators were patients, their relatives, and colleagues. Workplace violence had significant negative impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers, leading to emotional distress, burnout, and decreased job satisfaction. It also affected job performance and productivity, hindering the provision of quality healthcare services. Organizational factors, such as inadequate staffing, poor resources, ineffective communication, and hierarchical structures, were identified as contributing to the occurrence of workplace violence.

Conclusion: This review emphasizes the importance of developing and implementing policies that foster a culture of respect and non-violence, providing training to equip healthcare workers with necessary skills, fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, and conducting further research to deepen understanding and inform evidence-based interventions. It could be seen that the detrimental effects of workplace violence on the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers, as well as its impact on job performance and productivity. The review also emphasizes the role of organizational and societal factors in perpetuating workplace violence. Addressing workplace violence is crucial for creating a safe and supportive work environment, promoting the well-being of healthcare staff, and improving the overall quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.