Workplace violence amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in primary care in Ceará

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the prevalence, types, victims, and perpetrators of workplace violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in a municipality in the northwest region of Ceará. This is a descriptive, quantitative study conducted in 22 health centers, with the participation of 125 workers from the Family Health Strategy. The Survey Questionnaire Workplace Violence in the Health Sector was used to collect data. It was found that 49% of the professionals interviewed suffered some type of workplace violence during the period. The feminization of work was observed, with 89% of women reporting experiences of violence. Verbal aggression was the most frequent type, followed by a double burden of psychological violence: verbal aggression and mutual moral harassment. Situations of sexual harassment and physical violence were also reported on a smaller scale. The main perpetrators were the patients themselves and co-workers. The results reveal the severity of violence in healthcare work in contexts of health crises and highlight the predominance of verbal violence and overlapping forms of aggression. This reinforces the need for preventive and protective actions, especially in addressing gender-based violence, in accordance with International Labour Organization guidelines.