Worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses: A comprehensive meta‐analysis of observational studies

Abstract

Aims Sexual harassment towards nurses is a major concern universally, but no meta‐analysis on the worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses has yet been published. This study examined the worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment against nurses and explored its moderating factors. Design Meta‐analysis of observational studies. Data sources The PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from their commencement date to February 2018 were systematically and independently searched by two investigators. Review methods Data on the prevalence of sexual harassment experienced by nurses were extracted and pooled using the random‐effects model. Results A total of 43 studies covering 52,345 nurses were included in the analyses. Female nurses accounted for 83.87% of the 32,970 subjects in 25 studies with available data on gender ratio. The prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses in the past 12 months and during nursing career were 12.6% (95% CI: 10.9–14.4%) and 53.4% (95% CI: 23.1–83.7%), respectively. Gender, use of the WHO questionnaires, lower middle‐income and high‐income countries, sample size, survey year, and mean age of subjects were significantly associated with the prevalence of sexual harassment. Conclusion The high prevalence of sexual harassment against nurses found in this meta‐analysis represents the ongoing sexism and deleterious effects (e.g., poor work quality and efficiency, increased stress and job dissatisfaction) in the profession. Appropriate preventive measures, training, and empowerment of nurses are needed to ensure workplace safety and equality in this profession. Impact The study addressed the worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment against nurses and its moderating factors. Health authorities and hospital administrators should develop organizational policy and preventive strategies to ensure nurses’ workplace safety and equality.

Violence on the Job: The Experiences of Nurses and Midwives with Violence from Patients and Their Friends and Relatives

“…Sexual harassment against nurses and midwives has emerged as a significant issue [28]. A meta-analysis of the worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses (n = 52,345 participants) reported that the prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses during their nursing career was 53% and 13% in the preceding 12 months [29].…”

Measurement and prevalence of sexual harassment in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…However, this may also have to do with under-reporting of sexual harassment by females due to reasons, such as shame and embarrassment. 28 There was also wide variation by the type of measurement approach (direct query vs behavioural acts or categories). Studies were able to capture a higher prevalence for certain individual behaviours or acts, such as suggestive comments, inappropriate staring, unwanted touching and sexual calls, than with only a direct question asking if they have been sexually harassed.…”

“…For instance, during the full-text screening, we excluded studies on healthcare professionals (eg, nurses and doctors) as this population was well studied with two meta-analyses focused exclusively on this group in China 26 27 and one on nurses globally. 28 The final set of included full-text articles was formally appraised by two reviewers (MR and HS). Data from full-text sources were extracted using the following headings: first author and year; country; study setting; description of study sample; study design and sample number; information provided on sexual harassment-study definition, measurement approach, reporting period, prevalence estimates, frequency of acts and main perpetrator; outcomes (eg, sleep disorders or mental health effects, if measured), outcome direction and nature of effect.…”

The gray zone of patient‐nurse communication: Inappropriate sexual behavior

“…For example, 12.9% of the nurses according to the results of a study on the subject 8 and 28% of the nurses according to the results of a meta-analysis study were observed to have come across this behavior. 9 According to the results of the meta-analysis conducted by Lu et al, 19 53.4% of the nurses encountered this behavior during their careers. In a study conducted in Turkey, this rate was 71.7% 20 .…”