Violence against nurses in healthcare facilities in Kuwait

A national cross-sectional surrey was conducted to document the prevalence and determinants of violence against nurses in healthcare facilities in Kuwait. It involved all nurses employed in all types of health-related facilities and available in the country in May 1999. The questionnaire was completed by 5876 nurses (85% females, 88% non-Kuwaitis). Verbal violence had been experienced in the 6 previous months by 48% of the group. and physical violence by 7%. There was no physical harm reported in 63% of cases of physical violence. Physical abusers were mostly patients (51%). Compared to nurses who had never experienced physical violence. those who had experienced some were more likely, to be male, non-Kuwaiti, to have had a shorter professional experience, and to be working in a hospital rather than in a primary healthcare center. The experience of nurses with violence is still relatively rare in Kuwait. Communication with patients and their entourage of family members and, or close friends is needed to clarify expectations and to avoid frustration and angry verbal outbursts. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.