Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6, 2812-2821; doi:10.3390/ijerph6112812 OPEN ACCESS International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ISSN 1660-4601 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph Article Incidence and Risk Factors of Workplace Violence on Nursing Staffs Caring for Chronic Psychiatric Patients in Taiwan Wen-Ching Chen *, Yu-Hua Sun, Tsuo-Hung Lan and Hsien-Jane Chiu Yuli Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taiwan / No.448, Jhonghua Rd., Yuli Township, Hualien County 981, Taiwan; E-Mails: hilda@ms28.url.com.tw (Y.H.S.); tosafish@ms73.hinet.net (T.H.L.); dire@mail.ttyl.doh.gov.tw (H.J.C.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: oldchen@ttyl.doh.gov.tw; Tel.: +886-3-888-6141; Fax: +886-3-888-2402. Received: 17 September 2009 / Accepted: 10 November 2009 / Published: 12 November 2009 Abstract: This one-year follow-up study determined the incidence and risk factors of workplace violence against nursing staff in a psychiatric hospital. The cohort members had a website to report events whenever they came across violence. A total of 971 events were reported. The incidence rates of physical violence, verbal abuse, bullying/mobbing, sexual harassment, and racial harassment were 1.7, 3.7, 0.2, 0.3, and 0 per staff-year, respectively. Young age, female sex, lower education, shorter duration of employment, and high level of anxiety of staff seemed to be the determinants of violence. Pre-placement education should focus on these staff to reduce workplace violence. Keywords: workplace violence; incidence; nursing staff; risk factor; psychiatry 1. Introduction Violence is a global problem. In 1996, the 49th United Nations World Health Committee announced that prevention of violence is a leading priority for public health researchers and practitioners [1]. Based on World Health Organization statistics, more than 16 million people worldwide die each year from violence. Among 15–44 year olds, violence is the leading cause of death, making up 14% of male and 7% of female deaths in this group [1]. Before 1990, workplace violence was largely ignored and