TITLE:
Violence on Health Professionals: Experience of the Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics Departments at the University Teaching Hospital of Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Kouadio Vincent Asse, Richard Azagoh-Kouadio, Kouassi Christian Yao, Koko Aude Aka-Tanoh, Christelle Avi, Kossonou Roland Yeboua, John Patrick Yenan, Mocket Adolphe Ehouman, Yacouba Doumbia, Kouie Jeannot Plo
KEYWORDS:
Violence, Hospital, Pediatrics, Staff, Côte d’Ivoire
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.8 No.1,
February
28,
2018
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Violence in hospital is a major Public Health issue. In Cote d’Ivoire,
acts of violence against health professionals exist and may sometimes take a
dramatic turn. Objective: To research the causes of this violence for
the purpose to prevent them. Materials
and Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive
study conducted in the Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics departments
at the University Teaching Hospital of Bouaké from 26 January 2016 to 24
February 2016. It included 129 health workers who gave their consent. The data
collection was done through individual interviews followed by a focus group
according to the socio-professional category. Results: Out of 129 health
professionals included, 100 were a victim of violence i.e. a frequency of 77.5%. Most of the violence occurred during “on-call hours” (55.8%) in the emergency units (34.8%). The violence was verbal (52.5%), physical (28.6%),
moral and psychological (11.6%), theft (7.3%). The aggression was mainly related to patient’s care
(32.1%), visiting hours (26%) and the low level of understanding of the person
(16.5%). The victim’s immediate feelings were dominated by frustration (26.7%),
discouragement (21.3%) and insecurity (18.3%). The victims received a medical
assistance in 9% of cases. To prevent this violence, the staff mainly offered
to raise awareness about violence (27.6%) and the respect for hospital staff
(25%). Conclusion: Violence against health professionals is common
and has negative impacts on staff and hospital activity. Its prevention requires a holistic approach centered on
awareness. Keywords: Violence, Hospital, Pediatrics, Staff, Cote d’Ivoire.