Comparison of violence and aggressions suffered by health personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina and the rest of Latin America

Prevalence and patterns of gender disparity in workplace violence among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Despite the critical value of healthcare workers (HCWs) demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a noted global surge in violence against this population. The present meta-analysis aimed to gather data on the prevalence of workplace violence (WPV) against HCWs and to determine if there is any difference based on gender.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A thorough search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Lilacs, and Cochrane Collaboration databases was conducted from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic until March 8, 2023. Two authors independently carried out screening, data extraction, and quality assessment, followed by statistical analysis using random-effects meta-analysis and subgroup analysis to assess heterogeneity.

RESULTS

We included 22 studies with 44,357 participants, of which 79.37% were women. The analysis revealed an overall prevalence of WPV similar in both women (51.86%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 41.39-62.33) and men (51.45%, 95% CI: 40.95-61.95). There were considerable differences in gender-based WPV across geographic regions. Aggressions tend to be higher toward men in Asia (odds ratio [OR] 0.79, 95% CI 0.74-0.85, P < 0.001). Conversely, in Latin America, WPV prevalence was higher in women (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01-1.4, P = 0.035). HCWs from low- middle-income-level countries suffered a higher incidence of violence irrespective of gender compared with high- and upper-middle-income countries (72.36% vs 47.35%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that more than half of HCWs experienced WPV during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, women and HCWs in low-middle-income countries were notably vulnerable to WPV. A deeper understanding of the nuances behind violence against HCWs will help to facilitate tailored strategies for different demographical contexts.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO ID: CRD42023403970.

Violence and aggression against nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America. From the emerging leaders program of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology (SIAC)

INTRODUCTION

During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare providers have overcome difficult experiences such as workplace violence. Nurses are particularly vulnerable to workplace violence. The objective of this study was to characterize violence and aggression against nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America.

METHODS

An electronic cross-sectional survey was conducted in 19 Latin American countries to characterize the frequency and type of violent actions against front-line healthcare providers.

RESULTS

Of the original 3544 respondents, 16% were nurses (n = 567). The mean age was 39.7 ± 9.0 years and 79.6% (n = 2821) were women. In total, 69.8% (n = 2474) worked in public hospitals and 81.1% (n = 2874) reported working regularly with COVID-19 patients. Overall, about 68.6% (n = 2431) of nurses experienced at least one episode of workplace aggression during the pandemic. Nurses experienced weekly aggressions more frequently than other healthcare providers (45.5% versus 38.1%, p < .007). Nurses showed a trend of lower reporting rates against the acts of aggression suffered (p = .076). In addition, nurses were more likely to experience negative cognitive symptoms after aggressive acts (33.4% versus 27.8%, p = .028). However, nurses reported considering changing their work tasks less frequently compared to other healthcare providers after an assault event (p = .005).

CONCLUSION

Workplace violence has been a frequent problem for all healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America. Nurses were a particularly vulnerable subgroup, with higher rates of aggressions and cognitive symptoms and lower rate of complaints than other healthcare providers who suffered from workplace violence. It is imperative to develop strategies to protect this vulnerable group from aggressions during their tasks.

Gender differences in workplace violence against physicians and nurses in Latin America: a survey from the Interamerican Society of Cardiology

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate gender differences in workplace violence (WPV) against physicians and nurses in Latin America.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted between January 11 and February 28, 2022. A prespecified gender analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Among the 3056 responses to the electronic survey, 57% were women, 81.6% were physicians, and 18.4% were nurses. At least one act of violence was experienced by 59.2% of respondents, with verbal violence being the most common (97.5%). Women experienced more WPV than men (65.8% vs 50.4%; P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR]: 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63-2.19). Women were more likely to report at least one episode of WPV per week (19.2% vs 11.9%, P < 0.001), to request for psychological help (14.5% vs 9%, P = 0.001) and to experience more psychosomatic symptoms. In addition, women were more likely to report having considered changing their job after an aggression (57.6% vs 51.3%, P = 0.011) and even leaving their job (33% vs 25.7%, P = 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, being a woman (OR: 1.76), working in emergency departments (OR: 1.99), and with COVID-19 patients (OR: 3.3) were independently associated with more aggressive interactions, while older age (OR: 0.95) and working in a private setting (OR: 0.62) implied lower risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Women are more likely to experience WPV and to report more psychosomatic symptoms after the event. Preventive measures are urgently needed, with a special focus on high-risk groups such as women.