Nearly seven in ten healthcare workers in Greater Accra region have experienced some form of workplace violence during their careers, with verbal abuse the most common, according to a new study led by Dr. Philip Apraku Tawiah of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.

The research, published in BMC Public Health, surveyed 607 health professionals and support staff across 10 public and private hospitals in the region.

It found that 68.2% had encountered workplace violence at some point in their careers, while 59.8% had experienced it in the past year. More than half (53.4%) reported being subjected to verbal abuse in the last 12 months.

The consequences extend beyond the workplace. About one in four victims of verbal abuse reported becoming “super alert” or constantly vigilant after incidents, underscoring the lasting psychological toll.

The study identified older age, on-call responsibilities, and inadequate security at facilities as significant risk factors for violence, while greater work experience and a strong sense of safety at the workplace reduced the likelihood of exposure.

Dr. Tawiah urged swift action: “We must act: tighter security at emergency units, stricter visitor rules, prosecution of offenders, and real support for affected staff. Health workers are not punching bags. Protecting them is the first step to protecting patients.”

The researchers called for urgent facility-based interventions to address the problem, warning that workplace violence threatens not only the wellbeing of health workers but also the quality of patient care.

Co-authors of the study include Drs. Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong, Paul Okyere, Geoffrey Adu-Fosu, and Mary Eyram Ashinyo.