title: Identification of violence in Turkish health care settings.
abstract: This study sought to investigate the contributing factors to and frequency of violence against health care workers (HCWs) working in western Turkey. The population is composed of a random sample of 1,209 HCWs from 34 health care workplaces. Written questionnaires were given to HCWs at all sites, where staff were instructed to register all types of violence they had experienced. In all, 49.5% of HCWs reported having experienced verbal, physical, or verbal and physical violence, with this total being made up of 39.6% men and 60.4% women. A larger percentage (69.6%) of general practitioners reported experiencing verbal abuse and physical violence by patients and patients' family members or friends. Younger workers, inexperienced staff, and those in emergency services were more likely to report violence. Violence directed toward HCWs is a common occupational hazard. Public health authorities should plan preventive interventions based on the findings of this study.
authors.affiliation: Osmangazi University.
authors.forename: Unal
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ayranci
authors.forename: Cinar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yenilmez
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Balci
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kaptanoglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008503:Medical Staff / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017132:Workplace