Min Zhang

Workplace violence (WPV) is a widespread issue that harms the dignity and well-being of female healthcare workers globally. This study assesses changes in

Objective: Occupational blood-borne pathogens exposure (OBPE) exist in all healthcare settings, and pose potential risk to health workers (HWs), comprehensive interventions are the key. This study aimed to evaluate the prevention and control measures at a tertiary hospital with 2025 beds in southern China.Methods: With the intervention of the national and international technical tools/guidance, two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2016 (pre-) and 2022 (post-) with the same questionnaire and methodology, respectively.Results: The incidence rate of OBPE was significantly decreased from 14.98% (2016) to 4.94% (2022) with HWs 1052 (2016) and 3080 (2022), respectively. The average number of episodes in OBPE decreased from 0.19 (2016) to 0.07 (2022) per person per year. The OBPE knowledge training rate for HWs has significantly improved with an increase by 24.30% (pre-employment) and 9.85% (on-the-job). The reporting rate of OBPE was significantly increased from 29.97% (2016) to 63.96% (2022). However, hepatitis B vaccination coverage decreased from 80.15% (2016) to 71.71% (2022), level of awareness in HBsAb status decreased from 71.32% (2016) to 58.05% (2022), HBsAb positive rate decreased from 54.80% (2016) to 39.70% (2022). The reporting rates for OBPE rose from 28.97% (2016) to 63.96% (2022), The OBPE reporting rate increased by 1.21 times. Besides, influencing factors of OBPE indicated that department, vaccination, HBsAb status, knowledge scores, working time, HBV infection status and whether report occupational health issues to the hospital were related to the occurrence of OBPE.Conclusion: Occupational health for all HWs should not be achieved once and for all, it requires a sustainable investment by systematic interventions. The valuable experiences and lessons derived here can be shared beyond the hospital in China and globally.

Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers (HCWs) in infectious disease hospitals, particularly in high-risk settings, remains a critical yet understudied occupational hazard. A mixed-methods study was conducted at a Chinese infectious disease hospital, combining quantitative surveys (N = 675) and semi-structured interviews (28 HCWs, 17 patients/families). Logistic regression was used to analyze WPV incidence and predictors, while a thematic analysis of interview data identified contextual drivers. Psychological violence (34.1%) was significantly more prevalent than physical violence (2.2%), with outpatient departments (44.1%) and temporary staff (OR = 1.72) at the highest risk. Qualitative themes revealed systemic triggers, including communication breakdowns, environmental stressors, and organizational gaps in safety protocols and reporting. This study addressed a critical gap by incorporating the perspectives of HCWs and patients, revealing that WPV perceptions vary due to differing expectations and experiences. From these results, the CARE (Communication, Advocacy, Respect, Education) framework proposes actionable strategies: standardized SBAR communication protocols, enhanced security protocols in high-risk units, and mandatory anti-violence training. These findings underscore the need to strengthen the occupational health system to mitigate WPV and to improve healthcare quality.

Workplace psychosocial hazards pose significant risks to the well-being of health workers (HWs). This study aimed to explore the levels of psychosocial factors experienced by Chinese and international workers and examine associations between psychosocial factors, health-related outcomes (mental problems and general health), and turnover intention across various occupational stages. A cross-sectional study was conducted using stratified cluster sampling methods at four hospitals in southern China. Psychosocial factors, mental health, general health, and turnover intention were assessed using the Chinese version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire III. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted. A total of 1054 HWs participated in this study (response rate: 80.21%). Compared to international samples, Chinese HWs showed significant differences in nine psychosocial dimensions, particularly interpersonal relations, leadership, and the work–individual interface. Senior hospital managers reported significantly higher stress (51.09 ± 23.88, p < 0.001), sleep troubles (53.26 ± 24.92, p = 0.003), and poorer general health (57.61 ± 37.26, p = 0.035) than other occupational stages. Work–life conflict (β = 0.172), emotional demands (β = 0.132), and role clarity (β = −0.132) were the strongest predictors of mental health issues. Hiding emotions demands (β = −0.141) and leadership quality (β = 0.130) most strongly predicted general health. The turnover intention rate was 11.01%, with job satisfaction (OR = 0.964) being the strongest negative predictor. Reducing psychosocial stressors, particularly in work–life balance, role clarity, emotional demand, and leadership quality, could improve HWs’ well-being and reduce turnover intention.

Background: The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) is an international instrument designed for the assessment and improvement of psychosocial conditions in workplaces and for research purposes. After the International COPSOQ Network took over responsibility for the development of COPSOQ, a new version was published in 2019 (COPSOQ III). However, there is no widely recognized instrument for measuring psychosocial work factors, and insufficient research exists regarding the use of COPSOQ III within the Chinese setting. This study seeks to conduct a preliminary validation of the Chinese long version of COPSOQ III. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with a large sample in a medical consortium in China. Item analysis, reliability, and validity were explored. Results: The data management platform showed that 1067 respondents who met the inclusion criteria completed the questionnaire, among which 1054 questionnaires were valid. The content validity results showed that the I-CVI and S-CVI/AVE of each item ranged from 42.86 to 100.00, and the S-CVI/AVE was 92.52, indicating that the Chinese long version of COPSOQ III had good content validity. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) extracted seven factors, which explained 63.96% of the variation. The results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that the model was well fit (χ²/df = 4.50, CFI = 0.910, TLI = 0.897, IFI = 0.910, RMSEA = 0.058). The Cronbach alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.92. Conclusions: The Chinese long version of COPSOQ III is of good reliability and validity, like the original, and can be used to assess psychosocial work factors in China.

Objectives: This study investigated workplace violence (WPV) toward frontline health workers under comprehensive interventions to improve the occupational safety and health management system in a Chinese infectious disease hospital. Methods: The risk assessment of WPV using an international questionnaire was conducted in 2018 and 2021 to compare the perceived levels of exposure to WPV and intervention measures before and after the intensification of anti-violence measures in the hospital context. Additionally, qualitative data were collected in 2021 through semi-structured and unstructured interviews, providing complementary information about WPV toward frontline health workers (HWs). Results: After establishing the occupational safety and health management system (OSHMS), the total incidence rate of WPV decreased from 60.90% in 2018 to 34.44% in 2021. Psychological violence declined significantly from 60.90% in 2018 to 33.89% in 2021. The endorsement of precautionary measures increased significantly from 2018 to 2021, including patient screening recognition, patient protocol, shift or rota changes, etc. A thematic analysis of several subthemes shows that HWs had an in-depth understanding of WPV, recognizing its multifaceted consequences in the context of complex risk factors. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a significant decrease in WPV, psychological violence, verbal abuse, bullying/mobbing, and ethnic discrimination after implementing the comprehensive OSHMS.