Abstract
BACKGROUND: Workplace violence (WPV) is a significant occupational hazard threatening the safety and well-being of medical interns in Nigeria. Despite its critical impact, there is a notable research gap regarding the prevalence, patterns, and influencing factors of WPV among medical interns in Southwest Nigeria. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating these aspects. METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized online questionnaires to collect data from 379 medical interns at ten hospitals in Southwest Nigeria. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS: The study found that 62.5% of medical interns had experienced WPV. Verbal abuse was the most common type of violence (63.3%), followed by threats (50.4%), physical assault (24.3%), verbal sexual harassment (13.2%), and physical sexual abuse (2.6%). The primary perpetrators were patients' relatives (81.9%) and patients (61.2%). WPV predominantly occurred in the afternoon (68.8%) and in emergency rooms (70.5%). The primary triggers were long waiting times (64.6%) and unmet patient needs (54.9%). Female interns had higher odds of experiencing WPV, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.01 (95% CI: 0.82-11.03, p = 0.01) than their male counterparts. CONCLUSION: WPV is prevalent among medical interns in Southwest Nigeria, with patients as the main perpetrators. Healthcare organizations must implement measures such as promoting a culture of respect, establishing zero-tolerance policies, training interns to recognize and address WPV, and providing support for victims.