Worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses: A comprehensive meta-analysis of observational studies

Aims: Sexual harassment towards nurses is a major concern universally, but no meta-analysis on the worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses has yet been published. This study examined the worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment against nurses and explored its moderating factors. Design: Meta-analysis of observational studies. Data sources: The PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from their commencement date to February 2018 were systematically and independently searched by two investigators. Review methods: Data on the prevalence of sexual harassment experienced by nurses were extracted and pooled using the random-effects model. Results: A total of 43 studies covering 52,345 nurses were included in the analyses. Female nurses accounted for 83.87% of the 32,970 subjects in 25 studies with available data on gender ratio. The prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses in the past 12 months and during nursing career were 12.6% (95% CI: 10.9–14.4%) and 53.4% (95% CI: 23.1–83.7%), respectively. Gender, use of the WHO questionnaires, lower middle-income and high-income countries, sample size, survey year, and mean age of subjects were significantly associated with the prevalence of sexual harassment. Conclusion: The high prevalence of sexual harassment against nurses found in this meta-analysis represents the ongoing sexism and deleterious effects (e.g., poor work quality and efficiency, increased stress and job dissatisfaction) in the profession. Appropriate preventive measures, training, and empowerment of nurses are needed to ensure workplace safety and equality in this profession. Impact: The study addressed the worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment against nurses and its moderating factors. Health authorities and hospital administrators should develop organizational policy and preventive strategies to ensure nurses’ workplace safety and equality.