Publication: Workplace Violence against Registered Doctors in Nepal
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Date
2025
Article Type
Original Article
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1999-6217
Volume Title
Pages
Pages: 729 - 736
Publisher
Nepal Health Research Council
Abstract
Abstract:
Background: Workplace violence against health workers is rising globally. This study aimed to assess the nationwide prevalence and associated factors of workplace violence against Nepal Medical Council-registered Nepali doctors.
Methods: A nationwide web-based study was conducted among 420 Nepal Medical Council-registered Nepali doctors using a Google form. Data was cleaned and coded in Ms Excel 2021 and then analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Frequencies and proportions were calculated for categorical variables. Chi-square test was used to assess the associations between different independent variables with presence of workplace violence, taking p-value of less than 0.05 as statistically significant. Significant variables from bivariate analysis were fitted in binomial logistic regression model to determine strength of association at 95% confidence interval.
Results: Overall, 196 (46.67%) doctors experienced some form of workplace violence, with verbal abuse being the commonest (194; 46.19%). No action was taken against perpetrators in 11 (42.31%) physical violence, 125 (64.43%) verbal abuse and 15 (71.43%) racial harassment cases. Doctors working in more than two clinics/hospitals (AOR 4.09, p-value 0.007, 95% CI 1.50-11.48) and having zero vacations in the last six months (AOR 3.08, p-value 0.036, 95% CI 1.07-8.82) were found to be at higher risk of physical violence. Verbal abuse was more likely among those working in government hospitals (AOR 0.55, p-value 0.004, 95% CI 0.37-0.83) and working over 48 hours a week (AOR 1.89, p-value 0.003, 95% CI 1.25-2.86).
Conclusions: The burden of workplace violence was notably high in Nepal (46.67%), mainly verbal abuse (46.19%). Long working hours, lack of rest and working in multiple clinics/hospitals were the contributing factors.
Description
Varsha Manandhar
Department of Community Medicine, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepa
Baidehi Upadhyaya
Laerdal Global Health, Kathmandu, Nepal
Aman Shakya
Department of Clinical Physiology, Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal
Alisha Manandhar
WHO SEARO
Jem Maharjan
Meditouch Skin and Hair Clinic, Pokhara, Nepal
Srijana Bhurtel
Department of Psychiatry, Bharatpur Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal
Saurav Shah
Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal
Ayush Jha
Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal
Brihaspati Sigdel
Department of ENT, Gandaki Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal
Milan Adhikari
Department of Pathology, Nepalgunj Medical College, Nepalgunj, Nepal
Keywords
Doctors, Nepal, Workplace violenc
Identifier
https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v23i04.4906