Prevalence and types of violence against emergency department workers in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study
Dublin Core
Title
Prevalence and types of violence against emergency department workers in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study
Subject
Kuwait, Emergency department, Violence, Healthcare workers
Description
Background Workplace violence (WPV) in the emergency department (ED) is a global phenomenon that has
negative consequences on healthcare workers and the healthcare system as a whole. In Kuwait, limited research has
been conducted to assess WPV in healthcare facilities. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, characteristics,
and factors influencing WPV among ED staff in Kuwait’s public government hospitals.
Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in the EDs of seven general government hospitals in Kuwait from
March 2024 to March 2025. The study utilised a self-administered questionnaire. The target population consisted of
physicians and nurses working in the EDs.
Results A total of 407 responses from 1,542 healthcare workers were included in this study, yielding a response rate
of 26.39%. Most participants (62.7%) reported that they experienced WPV in the past year, mainly verbal violence
(97.3%). The most frequent causes of WPV were overcrowding and long waiting times. Most incidents occurred
in the observation room involving offenders aged 21–45 who were relatives of patients. About 49% reported no
consequences from WPV, while 25% indicated reduced work performance. The multiple regression model revealed
that female participants (Odds Ratio (OR), P=0.045), participants working in a specific health district (OR=2.92,
P=0.009), and those with longer work experience were associated with an increased likelihood of being exposed
to WPV (OR=3.79, P=0.009). However, it was found that treating both male and female patients decreases the
probability of experiencing WPV (OR=0.35, P=0.023).
Conclusion WPV is a significant issue in Kuwaiti EDs, especially among female and experienced workers, with
respective geographical differences. Policies should promote ED safety and reporting of WPV events. Training and
well-being programs for ED staff are also necessary.
negative consequences on healthcare workers and the healthcare system as a whole. In Kuwait, limited research has
been conducted to assess WPV in healthcare facilities. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, characteristics,
and factors influencing WPV among ED staff in Kuwait’s public government hospitals.
Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in the EDs of seven general government hospitals in Kuwait from
March 2024 to March 2025. The study utilised a self-administered questionnaire. The target population consisted of
physicians and nurses working in the EDs.
Results A total of 407 responses from 1,542 healthcare workers were included in this study, yielding a response rate
of 26.39%. Most participants (62.7%) reported that they experienced WPV in the past year, mainly verbal violence
(97.3%). The most frequent causes of WPV were overcrowding and long waiting times. Most incidents occurred
in the observation room involving offenders aged 21–45 who were relatives of patients. About 49% reported no
consequences from WPV, while 25% indicated reduced work performance. The multiple regression model revealed
that female participants (Odds Ratio (OR), P=0.045), participants working in a specific health district (OR=2.92,
P=0.009), and those with longer work experience were associated with an increased likelihood of being exposed
to WPV (OR=3.79, P=0.009). However, it was found that treating both male and female patients decreases the
probability of experiencing WPV (OR=0.35, P=0.023).
Conclusion WPV is a significant issue in Kuwaiti EDs, especially among female and experienced workers, with
respective geographical differences. Policies should promote ED safety and reporting of WPV events. Training and
well-being programs for ED staff are also necessary.
Creator
Muneera Alasfoor1
, Abdulaziz Alhenaidi1*, Sultan Alsalahi1
, Sara Alqabandy1
, Omar Khorshid1
, Abdulaziz Sayer1
,
Mohamed Elsherif1
and Omar Alkandari1
, Abdulaziz Alhenaidi1*, Sultan Alsalahi1
, Sara Alqabandy1
, Omar Khorshid1
, Abdulaziz Sayer1
,
Mohamed Elsherif1
and Omar Alkandari1
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-025-01434-2
Date
2026
Contributor
PERI IRAWAN
Format
TEXT
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Collection
Citation
Muneera Alasfoor1
, Abdulaziz Alhenaidi1*, Sultan Alsalahi1
, Sara Alqabandy1
, Omar Khorshid1
, Abdulaziz Sayer1
,
Mohamed Elsherif1
and Omar Alkandari1, “Prevalence and types of violence against emergency department workers in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12030.