Aggression, Micro-Aggression, and Abuse Against Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. A Latin American Survey

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous consequences globally. Notably, increasing complaints of verbal and physical violence against health care providers have been reported.Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted between January 11th and February 28th, 2022 to delineate the violent behavior against front-line health professionals in Latin America.Findings: A total of 3,544 participants from 19 countries were included (mean age 41∙9 ±11 years), of which 58∙5% were women. In terms of profession, 70∙8% were physicians, 16% nurses, 3∙4% physiotherapists, and the remaining 9∙8% were other health team members. Of the participants, 54∙8% reported acts of abuse: 95∙6% verbal abuse, 11∙1% physical abuse, and 19∙9% other types. Nearly half of those who reported abuse experienced psychosomatic symptoms after the event, 56∙2% considered changing their care tasks, and 33∙6% considered quitting their profession.In a logistic regression model, nurses (odds ratio (OR) 1∙90, p<0∙001), doctors (OR 2∙11, p<0.001), and administrative staff (OR 3∙53, p=0∙005) experienced more abuse than other health workers. Women more frequently reported abuse (OR 1∙56, p<0∙001), as well as those who worked directly with COVID-19 patients (OR 3∙66, p<0∙001). A lower probability of abuse was observed at older ages (OR 0∙95, p<0∙001).Interpretation: There has been a high prevalence of abuse against health personnel in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those caring for COVID-19 patients, younger staff, and women were found to be at elevated risk. It is imperative to develop strategies to mitigate these acts and their repercussions on the patient-provider relationship and outcomes.Funding: None to declare. Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: The SIAC Ethics Board approved this protocol.