Physical Assault of Nurses by Mentally Ill Patients: a Study of Jos University Teaching Hospital (juth) Psychiatric Department

Workplace violence occurs globally and it is very common in the health sector especially among health workers in the psychiatric department. A good understanding of the factors affecting physical assault of psychiatric health workers is essential in its prevention and control. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of physical assault and factors that affect physical assault among Nurses in the psychiatric department of Jos University Teaching Hospital. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted. All the nurses in the Psychiatric Department of Jos University Teaching Hospital were studied. Data was collected from participants using a semi-structured self- administered questionnaire and analyzed. The mean age range of respondents was 21-4 years. Among the respondents, 23(70.0%) had been attacked by a patient before with 18 (55.0%) of the attacks occurring within the last 12 months. The study findings also showed that, 25(76.0%) respondents had no knowledge of any support system available to victims of physical assault. A significantly high percentage of nurses at the psychiatric department of Jos University Teaching Hospital had experienced physical violence in their lifetime. Also, majority of the staff had received no training on violence prevention and there is little or no support for victims of physical violence. Efforts should be geared towards periodic training of nurses in psychiatric department on violence prevention and support systems such as medical leave, payment of medical bill for any treatment and paid visits to the psychologists.