Prevalence and Impact of Assaults on Healthcare Workers by Psychiatric Patients in a Gauteng Psychiatric Hospital, South Africa.
1
1. Epidemiology and Surveillance, National Institute for Occupational Health, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
2
2. Environmental Health, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Workplace violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) is a major occupational health concern, particularly in psychiatric settings where patient aggression is frequent1,2,3. In South Africa, evidence on assaults by mental health care users against HCWs is limited. This study investigated the prevalence of assaults within the preceding 12 months and the associated physical, emotional, and psychological effects among HCWs at a psychiatric hospital in Gauteng Province.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs directly involved in clinical care. Using convenience sampling, all 404 eligible clinical staff were invited to participate, and 137 completed a self-administered structured questionnaire (response rate: 55.7%). Descriptive statistics summarised the prevalence and types of assaults, while chi-square tests examined associations between assault exposure and selected variables. Logistic regression analysis was not performed due to an insufficient sample size for reliable multivariable modelling.
RESULTS:
Approximately 58% reported experiencing at least one assault in the past 12 months. Verbal assault was most common (84.7%), followed by physical assault (43.1%), threats (28.5%), and sexual harassment (16.8%). Among assaulted HCWs, 50% reported emotional trauma, 27.5% psychological effects, and 22.5% physical injuries. Professional nurses experienced the highest frequency of assaults. Age was the only socio-demographic factor significantly associated with assault (p=0.024), with HCWs aged ≥51 years most affected. Sex, education level, job title, and years of service, workplace procedures, training, knowledge, or confidence in managing aggression were not significantly associated. However, assaulted HCWs reported significantly lower access to employee wellness programmes (EWP). Study limitations included the small sample size, cross-sectional design, and reliance on self-reported data.
CONCLUSIONS:
Workplace violence was prevalent in this psychiatric hospital, causing emotional and psychological harm to HCWs, particularly older staff. The findings highlight the need for strengthened prevention measures and improved access to post-incident support and EWP. Further research is required to inform targeted interventions.
Workplace violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) is a major occupational health concern, particularly in psychiatric settings where patient aggression is frequent1,2,3. In South Africa, evidence on assaults by mental health care users against HCWs is limited. This study investigated the prevalence of assaults within the preceding 12 months and the associated physical, emotional, and psychological effects among HCWs at a psychiatric hospital in Gauteng Province.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs directly involved in clinical care. Using convenience sampling, all 404 eligible clinical staff were invited to participate, and 137 completed a self-administered structured questionnaire (response rate: 55.7%). Descriptive statistics summarised the prevalence and types of assaults, while chi-square tests examined associations between assault exposure and selected variables. Logistic regression analysis was not performed due to an insufficient sample size for reliable multivariable modelling.
RESULTS:
Approximately 58% reported experiencing at least one assault in the past 12 months. Verbal assault was most common (84.7%), followed by physical assault (43.1%), threats (28.5%), and sexual harassment (16.8%). Among assaulted HCWs, 50% reported emotional trauma, 27.5% psychological effects, and 22.5% physical injuries. Professional nurses experienced the highest frequency of assaults. Age was the only socio-demographic factor significantly associated with assault (p=0.024), with HCWs aged ≥51 years most affected. Sex, education level, job title, and years of service, workplace procedures, training, knowledge, or confidence in managing aggression were not significantly associated. However, assaulted HCWs reported significantly lower access to employee wellness programmes (EWP). Study limitations included the small sample size, cross-sectional design, and reliance on self-reported data.
CONCLUSIONS:
Workplace violence was prevalent in this psychiatric hospital, causing emotional and psychological harm to HCWs, particularly older staff. The findings highlight the need for strengthened prevention measures and improved access to post-incident support and EWP. Further research is required to inform targeted interventions.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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