Evaluation of an Educational Program to Nurses on Management of Aggressive and Violent Behavior in Mental Health Care Setting: A Quasi-experimental Study
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Abstract
Background: Aggression or violence by patients towards the nurses working in mental health care settings is a worldwide issue that has a complex problem with serious negative consequences. Aim was to examine the effectiveness of an educational training program in changing knowledge and practices of nurses’ toward patients exhibiting aggressive behaviour in mental health care setting. Design: A Quasi experimental study one group pre/post test design was used with 36 nurses recruited conveniently attending a one day workshop from psychiatric hospital, Jeddah. The workshop evaluation comprised the use of the Arabic version of Management of Aggression and Violence Attitude Scale (MAVAS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated.The paired t-test was used to assess the statistical significance of changes in the clinical behaviour intention and confidence scores from pre- to post-intervention. Results: Thirty six nurses completed both pre- and postworkshop evaluation questionnaires. Nearly half (47.2%) of the subjects were aged 30-40 years with total (M ± SD 33.6 ± 1.7) old, 58.3% were female, married (69.4%) and (61.1%) had diploma qualification. Statistically significant increases in the comparison between pre and post total means on the category of MAVAS scale on the Internal, External, Situational, and management factors and total pre/post-test intervention program. In addition to signficant difference between total pre (16.33) compared with (21.44) total post assessment. Conclusion and recommendation: the educational program was effective in increasing the knowledge levels of the nurses toward managing aggressive behavior. Also training in de-escalation techniques enhance the ability of nurses to deescalate violent and aggressive behavior and improve practical safety. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct ongoing training should be provided on a regular basis regarding aggression management and training should focus on enhancing staff’s ability to manage aggression, communication skills, and risk assessment competencies
