Violence against healthcare workers during the phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: a descriptive observational study from 2018 to 2023 in the metropolitan city of Genoa (North-Western Italy).

Background: Violence against healthcare workers is an escalating public health concern, affecting the quality of care, and causing significant psychological and physical effects on healthcare professionals. This study analysed the trend in aggressions in healthcare settings in the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods.

Methods: An observational descriptive study was conducted to analyse reports of violence against healthcare workers from January 2018 to June 2023 at a Local Health Authority "ASL3" in the Liguria region of Italy.