Interventions to Prevent Sexual Harassment Against Nurses—StopSH: Protocol for an Intervention Development Study

TL;DR

This study aims to develop and test a comprehensive intervention to prevent patients from sexually harassing nurses in Swiss hospitals.

Contribution

The project introduces a multidimensional, evidence-based intervention package co-developed with stakeholders to address a complex and under-researched issue.

Findings

A scoping review will map existing interventions for preventing sexual harassment of nurses.

A survey will assess the prevalence and consequences of harassment in partner hospitals.

A feasibility study will test the acceptability and practicality of the developed intervention.

Abstract

Patients’ sexual harassment against nurses is a worldwide phenomenon. Some forms occur on a daily to weekly basis. Despite the known high prevalence and its negative consequences, there is still a lack of evidence-based measures to prevent patients’ sexual harassment against nurses. Given the complexity of the problem, multidimensional interventions are required.

The main objective of the StopSH project is to develop an evidence-based, complex intervention package to prevent patients’ sexual harassment against nurses and minimize its negative consequences for the acute care sector in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.

This project is an intervention development study with a multimethod design. It involves the participative development and testing of a complex intervention package in one to two Swiss hospitals as practice partners. The project is carried out in four project phases. First, a systematic scoping review will be conducted to identify and map existing interventions aimed at preventing sexual harassment of nurses or minimizing its consequences. The review will include interventions at the individual, organizational, and network levels of nurses. The problem and needs analysis form the second phase, where a cross-sectional web-based survey will be carried out among nurses in one to two partner hospitals. The aim is to assess the prevalence, forms, and perceived consequences of sexual harassment, as well as existing and desired strategies or support structures. The results will inform the development of the intervention package. As a third phase, a complex intervention package will be codeveloped using a participatory action research approach, based on the findings from the first two phases. This process will involve nurses, hospital management, human resources, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure contextual relevance and feasibility. Finally, during a feasibility assessment, the developed intervention package will be implemented and tested on two to three test wards within the partner hospitals. The mixed methods feasibility study will assess the acceptability, practicality, and preliminary effects of the intervention. Survey data, as well as contextual and observational data, will be collected.

The project was launched in February 2024 and is scheduled to last for 5 years. As of August 2025, this project is in phase 2. Data collection is ongoing. The StopSH project is expected to develop and test a complex intervention package for the prevention of patients’ sexual harassment against nurses. This intervention package is predicted to reduce the prevalence and negative effects of sexual harassment against nurses.

The results of this project will provide important guidance for nurses, but also for their employers, and as such can contribute to the long-term reduction of sexual harassment against nurses. It lays the foundation for the development and adaptation of interventions in further nursing settings and other health care professions.

DERR1-10.2196/71425

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