The Prevalence and Influencing Factors Associtaed with Workplace Violence against Healthcare Workers: A Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
akhlāq-i pizishkī i.e., Medical Ethics,
Vol. 20 (1405),
13 July 2026
,
Page 1-7
https://doi.org/10.22037/mej.v20i.52626
Abstract
Background and Aim: Workplace violence is one of the major occupational hazards in the health system, which can have considerable physical, psychological, and professional consequences for healthcare workers. Numerous studies have been conducted on the prevalence of workplace violence and its associated factors in different countries. A systematic review of these studies to estimate the prevalence of this phenomenon and identify its associated factors can provide valuable information for policymakers and clarify existing knowledge gaps. Therefore, the present study aims to describe the methodology and stages of conducting such a systematic review.
Methods: This study is designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. Studies published in English from January 2015 to January 2025 will be searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Original observational studies, including cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies that report the prevalence, risk factors, or consequences of workplace violence against healthcare workers, will be included. Study screening, data extraction, and quality assessment using the JBI checklists will be performed independently by two researchers. Data will be analyzed using STATA 17 through meta-analysis of proportions and a random-effects model. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the I2 statistic and Cochran’s Q test. Subgroup analysis and, where feasible, meta-regression will also be performed. Publication bias will be evaluated using funnel plots and Egger’s test.
Ethical Considerations: This study is derived from a research project registered with the Research Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Throughout all stages of manuscript preparation, originality, academic integrity, honesty, and proper attribution were strictly observed.
Conclusion: The proposed systematic review can provide a comprehensive overview of various dimensions of workplace violence against healthcare workers. The findings of this study may assist policymakers, healthcare system managers, and researchers in designing prevention programs, developing educational and managerial interventions, and identifying existing research gaps.
- Violence
- workplace violence
- healthcare workers
- systematic review
How to Cite
References
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