PREVALENCE OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AGAINST PRIMARY HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN PORT HARCOURT

Background: Workplace Violence (WPV) is commonest in the health sector globally and this constitutes a great hazard especially for primary healthcare workers (PHCW). Yet not much studies have been carried out area PHCWs Niger Delta region Port Harcourt City Rivers State Nigeria. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population was 230 (doctors, nurses, Community extension workers). sample size of 95 determined using Cochran’s formula. Respondents were randomly selected through multi-staged sampling method. A standardized questionnaire adapted from “Workplace sector” (WHO, ILO, PSI) self-administered to 105 respondents (10 extra non-response). Result: result showed response rate 90.5%; Cronbach’s Alpha co-efficient 0.84 (good internal consistency). aged 19 - 60 years old. Mean age 42 years. Majority (80%) females. Most (75.6%) them married. prevalence WPV 28.4%. There no statistical significance between (p = 0.086), sex 0.361) prevalence, but there professional cadre 0.041) most nurses experienced during period under Conclusion: In conclusion, are experiencing WPV. This finding should be concern authorities, worker public. It recommended that Ministry Health educate/risk communicate workers, patients/relative sensitize public order mitigate its occurrence. KEYWORDS: Violence, workplace, worke