The Awareness of the Violence Against Healthcare Workers in Pakistan
A Study of Caregivers in Newly Merged Districts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56226/117Keywords:
Workplace violence, health policy, healthcare worker safety, Pakistan, RE-AIM frameworkAbstract
Background: Workplace violence (WPV) threatens healthcare worker safety and undermines health systems globally. Although progressive legislation, such as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Healthcare Service Providers and Facilities Act (2020), has been enacted, little is known about the law’s real-world impact—especially in post-conflict regions. This study assessed awareness of the Act and barriers to its effective implementation among caregivers (patient attendants) in the newly merged districts (NMDs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 769 caregivers in district hospitals of Bajaur, Khyber, and Kurram (August–November 2023) measured legal awareness, reporting behavior, and structural barriers. Data were analyzed descriptively and thematically, mapped to the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) implementation science framework.
Results: Awareness of the Act was low overall (27.6%), with marked district variation (7.9% in Khyber vs. 54.4% in Kurram). Most respondents preferred internal (hospital-based) reporting (75%), citing distrust in law enforcement and low policy visibility as primary barriers. Social and mass media were the main information sources. Factors impeding policy reach included low literacy, inadequate communication strategies, and limited institutional support. These findings reveal a persistent gap between legislative intent and frontline practice.
Conclusion: Preventing workplace violence requires more than legislation. Embedding legal rights and violence-prevention training in healthcare curricula, establishing confidential reporting pathways, and engaging communities through targeted media and culturally sensitive campaigns are essential. A multi-sectoral, context-driven approach is needed to translate legal protections into tangible safety for healthcare workers in fragile settings
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