Workplace Violence, Daily Occupational Hazards and Mental Health Disorder Among Healthcare Workers in Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Tume Sewuese Monica Ihaji Elvis Oblu

doi:10.56201/ijssmr.vol.12no4.2026.pg382.394

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Workplace Violence, Daily Occupational Hazards and Mental Health Disorder Among Healthcare Workers in Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Tume Sewuese Monica Ihaji Elvis Oblu

Abstract

This study examined the influence of workplace violence and daily occupational hazards on the mental health of healthcare workers at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. The participants consisted of 251 male and female clinical staff of Federal Medical Centre Makurdi aged between 20 and 55 years, selected through purposive sampling technique. The study collected data through validated questionnaires consisting of demographic items, Client Violence Questionnaire , a modified version of the Occupational Risks Scale for Intra-hospital Nursing Staff, and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The data collected were analysed using regression analysis. The results showed that the dimensions of workplace violence (verbal aggression, threat aggression, property aggression, and physical violence) have significant influence on mental health [F(4, 246) = 5.088, p = .001]. Independently, verbal aggression (β = –.159, t = –2.154, p < .05) and threat aggression (β = –.151, t = –2.079, p < .05) each had a significant negative effect on mental health, while property aggression (β = –.107, t = –1.659) and physical violence (β = –.049, t = –.744) had no significant effect. Also, daily hazards [R = .865, R2 = .748, F(1, 249) = 740.756, p < .001] had significant negative influence on mental health. The results also showed that workplace violence and daily hazards have significant joint influence on mental health [R = .870, R2 = .748, F(2, 248) = 384.274, p < .001]. The study concludes that workplace violence and daily occupational hazards are significant factors influencing the mental health of healthcare workers at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Benue State. The study recommends, among others, that the management of FMC Makurdi should establish and enforce a comprehensive zero-tolerance policy against all forms of workplace violence, especially verbal and threat aggression, which were found to significantly affect mental health. It also recommends that the hospital’s administrative leadership should prioritize reducing daily occupational hazards by ensuring regular provision of personal protective equipment , safer handling procedures for biohazards, adequate lighting, and functional safety equipment.

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Workplace Violence, Daily Occupational Hazards and Mental Health Disorder Among Healthcare Workers in Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

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