Factors Influencing the Abuse of Nurses by Patients and Relatives

Nurses are the foundation of every healthcare system, providing critical care across various settings. Their commitment and knowledge are essential to guaranteeing the security, health, and recuperation of patients. However, nurses are increasingly facing a concerning challenge: abuse from patients and their relatives. This abuse can manifest in various forms, including verbal aggression, threats, intimidation, and even physical assault, significantly impacting the well-being of nurses and the quality of care provided (Lasch et al., 2019). In Nigeria, the nursing profession is governed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), which sets standards for nursing education, practice, and ethics (NMCN, 2018). Despite these regulations, nurses working in diverse healthcare settings, including tertiary hospitals like the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State, are exposed to a wide array of patient interactions that can lead to abuse. The prevalence of nurse abuse in Nigeria is alarming, with recent studies reporting that a significant percentage of nurses experience some form of abuse during their careers. For instance, a study conducted in a Nigerian teaching hospital found that 82% of nurses had experienced verbal abuse, while 48% reported physical violence, involving 250 nurses in total (Ajiboye et al., 2023). The impact of nurse abuse extends beyond immediate psychological and physical harm. It also affects patient care and organizational outcomes. Nurse abuse can lead to decreased job satisfaction, burnout, absenteeism, and turnover among nursing staff, ultimately undermining the quality of patient care and contributing to healthcare inefficiencies (Oyerinde & Adeloye, 2019). In a healthcare environment already strained by patient overload, inadequate staffing, and resource constraints, such as in UUTH, these challenges can exacerbate tensions and contribute to incidents of abuse. This research is to investigate the particular variables driving nurse abuse at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State, given the serious consequences associated with such abuse. Through the identification of these variables, the research aims to enhance comprehension of the problem and provide valuable perspectives that may guide policies and initiatives targeted at reducing nurse abuse in Nigerian healthcare environments.

To identify the factors influencing the abuse of nurses by patients and relatives at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

1. 1What is the prevalence of abuse experienced by nurses at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo?
2. 2What are the types of abuse experienced by nurses at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo?
3. 3What are the factors influencing nurses’ abuse at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo?
4. 4What are the perceived impact of abuse on nurses’ well-being and job satisfaction at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo?

1. H1H₀₁: There is no significant association between nurses’ educational status and their perception of the factors contributing to nurse abuse at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo.
2. H2Ha₁: There is a significant association between nurses’ educational status and their perception of the factors contributing to nurse abuse at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo.
3. H3H₀₂: Gender does not significantly influence the likelihood of nurses experiencing abuse at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo.
4. H4Ha₂: Gender significantly influences the likelihood of nurses experiencing abuse at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo.