Workplace bullying among nurses in the Upper West Region of Ghana.

Abstract

Workplace bullying (WPB) is a multi-dimensional concept characterized by a constellation of actions taken and those not taken in workplaces and include but

not limited to hostile remarks, spreading of rumours and intimidation. Nursing

is a caring profession where effective communication, interpersonal relationships and teamwork are essential. However, over the years, bullying among nurses has become endemic and presents serious safety and health hazards which can result in physical and psychological difficulties for victims.

This compromises the quality of care, patient safety and the wellbeing of the

nurses, yet there is paucity of research on the subject in Ghana. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of WPB among nurses in the UWR of Ghana using a cross-sectional design. Three hundred and twenty-three (323) nurses were recruited using a multistage sampling technique and data collected through a self-administered questionnaire with a 98.5% (N=318) response rate. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22. The results indicate a high prevalence of WPB among this study group. Eighty percent (80%; n=252) and 54.6% (n=172) were classified as being bullied over a six-month period by the operational and self-labelling methods respectively. WPB was also found to have strong positive linear relationships with both intentions to quit (r=0.487;

N=315, p<0.001), and depression among the nurses (r=0.559; N=315; p<0.001). The results further indicate that WPB occurs irrespective of the nurses’ gender

or professional nursing background. WPB is a common phenomenon in this

study area. Hence, all stakeholders should institute measures aimed at reducing its incidence and mitigating against its consequences on nurses and other employees.