Verbal Abuse and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Female Pediatric and Gynecology Healthcare Providers in Karachi: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Verbal Abuse and PTSD in Female Healthcare Providers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62807/jowach.v2i3.2025.13-18Keywords:
workplace violence, verbal abuse, PTSD, women’s health workforce, pediatric healthcare, gynecologyAbstract
Background
Workplace violence is pervasive in healthcare, particularly in maternal and child health settings. Verbal abuse, though often minimized, may have severe mental health sequelae, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Methods
A secondary analysis was conducted using data from a 2023 cross-sectional survey of 414 healthcare providers from pediatric and gynecology departments in Karachi. Female respondents were analyzed separately. Key exposures included frequency of verbal abuse (daily, weekly, occasional, none), cadre (doctor, nurse, support), tenure (<3 years, 3–7 years, >7 years), and hospital type (public/private). PTSD symptoms were the primary outcome. Chi-square, logistic regression, and multivariable-adjusted models were applied.
Results
Among female providers (n=236), 72.5% reported daily or weekly verbal abuse. PTSD prevalence was 71.6%. In multivariable logistic regression, high-frequency verbal abuse was independently associated with PTSD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.9, 95% CI: 1.7–4.8, p<0.001). Nurses were at greater risk compared to doctors (aOR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.2, p=0.02). Public-sector providers showed higher PTSD prevalence than private-sector peers, though this attenuated after adjustment.
Conclusions
Verbal abuse is strongly associated with PTSD among female pediatric and gynecology healthcare providers in Karachi. Addressing this hidden form of violence is essential for safeguarding mental health and ensuring quality maternal and child health services.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Tasneem Muffaddal, Suleman Otho, Muhammad Bilal Siddiqui (Author)
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