Sexual Harassment towards Nurses in Pakistan: Are we Safe?

Abstract

Background: Sexual harassment towards nurses has negative consequences, both for the nurses and for the health care organizations.Female nurses are more at risk for sexual violence because their caring a�itude is misperceived by male patients as sexual signals. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses. Method:A descriptive Cross-sectional study was conducted with 458 registered nurses from all the Inpatient units and the Emergency departments of two government and two private healthcare se�ings in Karachi, Pakistan. The data was collected through a tool known as "workplace violence in the health sector country case studies research instrument" (2003). Results:The study found 10% prevalence of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment was almost the same at both the government and private healthcare se�ings. The common perpetrators were found to be patients' relatives (47.8%) and the staff members (32.6%). Nurses, who were between 19 and 29 years of age, were mostly the victims ofsexual harassment. Conclusion:Considering the study findings, it is recommended that acceptable and non-acceptable behaviors for patients and their relatives must be communicated very clearly in the hospitals, so that they may get aware of and practice acceptable behaviors. Moreover, a structured reporting system should be formulated in the private and government health care organizations.

Sexual Harassment in Clinical Practice—A Cross-Sectional Study Among Nurses and Nursing Students in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Although this study has not calculated a statistic significant value of women being more often exposed to SH the results are supported by previous studies (Bronner et al, 2003;Fute et al, 2015;K. Lee et al, 2007;Somani et al, 2015). In 2017, it was estimated by United Nation Women (2017) that 35% of all women worldwide have been exposed to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner.…”

“…Although women are the most common targets for sexual harassment, men can also be victims to SH, especially vulnerable groups such as “young men, gay men, members of ethnic or racial minorities, and men working in female-dominated work groups” (McCann, 2005). Despite an increase in male nurses and nursing studies, the nursing profession can still be seen as a feminine work due to its caretaking character and female nurses are more prone to be sexually harassed than male nurses (Bronner et al., 2003; Lamesoo, 2013; Somani et al., 2015; Spector et al., 2014).…”

Contemporary public perceptions of nursing: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the international research evidence

“…, Somani et al . ). None of this is conducive to nurses developing the confidence to speak out about what it is that nurses do and the differences nurses can make.…”

“…A previous concept analysis reported that negative images portrayed in the media influence nurses' reluctance to speak to the media (Rezaei-Adaryani et al 2012). Moreover, the gendered and aggressive tone of much of the newspaper and social media reporting and commentary on nursing resonates with reports of gendered, sexualised and demeaning verbal violence nurses experience in their workplaces (Jackson et al 2013, Spector et al 2014, Somani et al 2015. None of this is conducive to nurses developing the confidence to speak out about what it is that nurses do and the differences nurses can make.…”

Sexual harassment from older residents at long-term care facilities: is it really part of the job?

“…Sexual harassment: prevalence, types and consequences Sexual harassment has been defined as any "unwanted or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, in a workplace or in connection with work, which makes a protected person feel humiliated, intimidated, discriminated against or offended" (International Labour Organization, 2001) and is relatively frequent in health care settings (e.g. Çelik and Çelik, 2007;Somani et al, 2015;Wang, 2012). Although the estimated prevalence varies according to country, research methodology, and specific work setting, it has been estimated that one in four nurses are exposed to sexual harassment (Spector et al, 2014).…”