Physical assaults among education workers: findings from a statewide study.
OBJECTIVE
Enumerate and describe physical assaults occurring to Pennsylvania education workers.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was mailed to a random sample of 6450 workers, stratified on gender, occupation, and region. Logistic regression was used to examine risk factors for physical assault.


RESULTS
During the 2009-2010 school year, 309 of 2514 workers were assaulted 597 times. Special education teachers, urban workers, and those in their first 3 years of employment were at an increased risk. Most assaults did not lead to medical care or time away from work; however, those assaulted were significantly more likely to find work stressful, have low job satisfaction, and consider leaving the education field (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.5 [95% CI=1.5 to 4.1]; AOR=2.4 [95% CI=1.5 to 3.9]; AOR=10.7 [95% CI=4.1 to 28.1]).


CONCLUSIONS
Although education workers experienced few serious physical assaults, the impact of this violence was considerable.
From the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research, Analysis and Field Evaluations Branch, Morgantown, WVa.
Hope M
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Tiesman
Scott
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Hendricks
Srinivas
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Konda
Dan
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Hartley
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004519:Education, Special; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013663:Teaching; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult