Work-related violence and its association with self-rated general health among public sector employees in Sweden

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Work-related violence is one of the most serious threats to employee safety and health.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the extent of self-reported violence or threats of violence at work in relation to the general health of public sector employees.

METHODS: The study population comprised 9,611 female (83%) and male public employees in Sweden. A questionnaire based on items derived mainly from validated instruments was constructed to cover aspects such as health, lifestyle, and physical and psychosocial work conditions.

RESULTS: One in three employees reported work-related violence, with the highest proportions among psychiatric nurses (79%) and psychiatric attendants (75%). Work-related violence more often affected those who were < 45 years old, worked < 40 hours/week, worked nights, or reported poor health. Regardless of gender, age, hours of work, night work, and type of occupation, exposure to work-related violence was associated with less than good general health, and this relationship was strongest for psychiatric nurses (OR=3.19; 95% CI=1.28–7.98), medical doctors/dentists (OR=2.46; 95% CI=1.35–4.49), compulsory school teachers (OR=2.14; 95% CI=1.33–3.45), and other nurses (OR=1.87; 95% CI=1.23–2.84).

CONCLUSIONS: Work-related violence was frequently reported by employees in the most common public sector occupations, and it was associated with poor health in both genders.