P-133 Association Between Workplace Violence and Anxiety Among Healthcare Workers During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Brazil

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic changed several aspects of the work organization and aggravated psychosocial risk factors for healthcare workers. Those changes may be more serious in a social context where there is a lack of resources and huge social inequalities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between workplace violence/harassment and anxiety among healthcare workers in Brazil. Methods Cross-sectional study with a representative sample of public health employees who worked in the primary and secondary care in three municipalities in Bahia, northeastern Brazil, in 2021. Anxiety Disorder was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ). Workplace violence and bullying/harassment were assessed using the self-labeled method, with validated specific questions. A structured questionnaire and other validated instruments were used to assess sociodemographic, behavioral and psychosocial factors. Logistic regression was used to estimate prevalence odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results 1097 workers participated in the study. The prevalence of bullying was 8.2%, and the prevalence of Anxiety Disorder was 18.9%. After adjustment for confounders, healthcare workers exposed to verbal/physical aggression and workplace bullying had 1.90 (95% CI: 1.23-2.95) and 2.29 (95% CI: 1.41-1.37) higher odds of anxiety, compared to those non-exposed, respectively. Discussion The results highlight the possible role of the work organization for the occurrence of workplace aggression, workplace bullying and anxiety. Conclusion Interventions to prevent mental health outcomes, particularly anxiety, as well as sick leave and work disability, must focus on the work organization and managerial policies, minimizing psychosocial risk factors and eliminating violence and harassment from the healthcare environment.