PREVALENCE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AMONG NURSES AND NURSING STUDENTS IN A CULTURALLY CONSERVATIVE COUNTRY

The prevalence of sexual harassment among nurses and nursing students in Lebanon is an unidentified social concern. This study aims to identify this prevalence and assess the related factors. Using a self-administered questionnaire the sociodemographic characteristics, workplace variables, physical appearance, and the Sexual Experience Questionnaire (SEQ) were assessed, the data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. A total of 380 participated with 71.8% being female and 63.9% aged between 18 and 25. Sexual harassment was experienced by 91 participants (23.9%) and occurred mainly in the patients’ rooms and during procedures. Policies were absent or unannounced and reporting was shy due to perceived disregard from superiors. Factors possibly contributing to the incidence of sexual harassment were identified. They should be identified and targeted to diminish prevalence. Policies should be present and announced to workers to promote proper reporting and follow-up. Future research should target a larger population.