Prevalence and factors associated with workplace violence against Brazilian multiprofessional residents during the pandemic

Abstract

Cross-sectional study which objective was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with workplace violence (physical and/or verbal) against multiprofessional residents working at a Brazilian university hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. A census was developed in July 2020 with 67 residents. Data were collected through an electronic questionnaire, evaluating physical and verbal violence through self-report. Associations between the occurrence of violence experienced during the pandemic and independent variables (sociodemographic, psycho-emotional, and patient care with COVID-19) were analyzed using statistical tests and Poisson Regression (PR) with robust variance. Differences between groups were observed when comparing occupations and the degree of satisfaction with the residence, with a higher proportion of physical therapists and social workers, as well as dissatisfied residents among those who reported violence (p≤0.005). After regression analysis, violence was associated with increase in age (PR=1.25; 95%CI 1.12-1.40) and moderate/severe anxiety levels (RP=2.87; 95%CI 1.12-1.40). The findings point to the need to implement institutional measures for the prevention and control of workplace violence considering the factors associated with it during the pandemic.