Volume 22, Issue 1 (2025)
ioh 2025, 22(1): 257-272 |
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Research code: 4011324
Ethics code: IR.MUMS.FHMPM.REC.1401.155
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Salari M, Sheykhi M, Shabanikiya H. INVESTIGATING OCCUPATIONAL VIOLENCE AGAINST COVID-19 VACCINATORS AND RELATED FACTORS. ioh 2025; 22 (1) : 15
URL: http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3685-en.html
URL: http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3685-en.html
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. , shabanikiahr@mums.ac.ir
Abstract: (399 Views)
Introduction: Given the prevalence of workplace violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to investigate workplace violence against COVID-19 vaccinators and its related factors.
Methods: This study was cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical, and applied. The study sample included 333 COVID-19 vaccinators in Iran who were selected using stratified sampling. The data collection tool was a checklist consisting of six sections (demographic characteristics, physical, verbal, cultural, sexual violence, and the cause of violence). Descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including the Mann-Whitney test, Fisher's variance ratio test, and Pearson correlation, were used for data analysis.
Results: According to the findings of the study, 80% of vaccinators experienced violence at least once. The frequency of types of violence included verbal (77.5%), cultural (24%), physical (20%), and sexual (5%) in that order. The main group perpetrating violence in all four types of violence were family members of vaccine recipients. A significant relationship was observed between gender and work experience with physical violence, such that female vaccinators with higher work experience were more likely to be exposed to violence. From the perspective of the vaccinators, doubt about vaccine safety was the main cause of violence against them.
Conclusion: Exposure of COVID vaccinators to violence in the workplace was very high. Based on the results obtained, it seems that measures such as developing gender-oriented security guidelines with a focus on female vaccinators, restricting family access to vaccinators, employing younger staff in public vaccination programs, and providing correct information to the public about vaccines can lead to a reduction in violence.
Methods: This study was cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical, and applied. The study sample included 333 COVID-19 vaccinators in Iran who were selected using stratified sampling. The data collection tool was a checklist consisting of six sections (demographic characteristics, physical, verbal, cultural, sexual violence, and the cause of violence). Descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including the Mann-Whitney test, Fisher's variance ratio test, and Pearson correlation, were used for data analysis.
Results: According to the findings of the study, 80% of vaccinators experienced violence at least once. The frequency of types of violence included verbal (77.5%), cultural (24%), physical (20%), and sexual (5%) in that order. The main group perpetrating violence in all four types of violence were family members of vaccine recipients. A significant relationship was observed between gender and work experience with physical violence, such that female vaccinators with higher work experience were more likely to be exposed to violence. From the perspective of the vaccinators, doubt about vaccine safety was the main cause of violence against them.
Conclusion: Exposure of COVID vaccinators to violence in the workplace was very high. Based on the results obtained, it seems that measures such as developing gender-oriented security guidelines with a focus on female vaccinators, restricting family access to vaccinators, employing younger staff in public vaccination programs, and providing correct information to the public about vaccines can lead to a reduction in violence.
Article number: 15
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Workplace Health
Received: 2024/10/20 | Accepted: 2025/08/17 | Published: 2025/03/30
Received: 2024/10/20 | Accepted: 2025/08/17 | Published: 2025/03/30
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