Skip to main content

Table 2 Types of incidents, contributing factors and recommendation for improving safety

From: Incidents related to safety in mental health facilities in Kenya

Type of incidents

Incidents directed to staff by patients

Physical assaults

Sexual assaults

Verbal assaults

Incidents between patients

Physical assaults

Sexual assaults

Verbal assaults

Incidents directed to patient by staff

Physical assaults

Sexual assaults

Verbal assaults

Other incidents

Absconding

Sudden death

Suicide

Deliberate self harm

Accidental fall

Contributing factors

Patient factors

Prolonged stay, alcohol and substance abuse, delays in receiving care, unstable mental state, patient’s own biases

Staff factors

Shortage of staff, inadequate security mechanism, stigma for mental illness

System factors

Deploying staff with challenges, lack of support from management, medication stock outs

Infrastructural factors

Poorly designed facilities, lack of seclusion rooms, inadequate working space, inadequate bed capacity, close proximity of male and female wards

Recommendation for improving safety

Improving infrastructure

Addressing staff shortage

Employment of staff with specialization

Availability of adequate supplies

Psycho-education

Adequate funding and direct budgetary allocation