Exposure to Workplace Violence and Quality of Life among Drivers and Conductors in Maputo City, Mozambique

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined exposure to workplace violence and its consequences on quality of life (QOL) among workers in the road passenger transport sector in Maputo city, Mozambique. A random sample of 504 drivers and conductors were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Many participants reported experiencing psychological or physical violence at work. Sequelae of violence included sick leave following abuse (20%), physical injuries (32%), financial loss (28%), and various emotional reactions (28–56%). Exposure to workplace violence was a significant predictor of QOL even after adjusting for confounding. Mechanisms to detect and deal with both immediate and long term consequences of work-related violence on QOL are recommended. Key words: Workplace violence; drivers;conductors; quality of life; Africa