A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009 among 416 randomly selected nurses in obstetrics and gynaecology departments in eight hospitals in Cairo, Egypt. This study aimed to identify forms of workplace violence against obstetrics and gynaecology nurses and assess their reaction and attitude to it. The study results showed that the majority of nurses have been exposed to workplace violence.
Patients’ relatives were the greatest source of violence (38.5%) and psychological violence was the most common form (78.1%). Carelessness (40.5%) and malpractice of nurses (35.8%) were reported as the usual causes of violence.
For psychological and physical violence < 50% of the nurses used the formal system to report abuse. Most nurses (87.2%) considered workplace violence had a negative effect of on them. Guidelines for protection of nursing staff are needed.
