Prevalence of Workplace Violence and Its Role in the Satisfaction of Healthcare Workers in Allameh Behlool Gonabadi Hospital, Gonabad, Iran, in 2020

The satisfaction of healthcare workers plays an important role in maintaining and promoting patients' health. Moreover, this group of employees is exposed to various forms of violence due to their job nature. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of occupational violence and its role in healthcare workers' satisfaction.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 156 employees of the Allameh Bohlol Gonabadi Hospital, Gonabdi, Iran, in 2020. The required data were collected using questionnaires, namely a demographic form, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised. Data analysis was performed using appropriate statistical tests and linear regression analysis test. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant.

In this study, the mean age of the subjects was obtained at 31.8±7.1 years, and demographic variables showed no significant relationship with job satisfaction and violence (P<0.05). However, there was a significant relationship between job satisfaction and job violence (P<0.001). The highest and lowest satisfaction were related to physical conditions and payment system, respectively. Overall, job satisfaction was revealed to be at the average level with a score of 54. The occupational violence score was estimated at 28, and the highest report of violence was related to the statement "Your work is over-monitored and -reviewed". It was also found that in terms of job satisfaction, payment system, development opportunity, and leadership style were effective factors in the occurrence of violence.

The results confirmed the existence of violence in the workplace; therefore, it seems useful to adopt a preventive approach and train the public to reduce the imposed threats by violence in the hospital environment and ensure staff satisfaction. It is also recommended to hold regular meetings with related educational goals.