Abstract: ObjectiveTo understand and compare the status of workplace violence in state-owned and private hospitals in Tangshan city.MethodsCluster sampling method was used to investigate the occurrence of violence among medical staff in three state-owned hopitals and five private hospitals from April 2008 to April 2009 in Tangshan city.ResultsThe incidence rate of workplace violence in state-owned hospitals(62.98%)was higher than that of in private hospitals (19.60%).The type of the violence was mainly psycho logical violence in both state-owned and private hospitals.The incidence of psychological violence in state-owned hospitals(46.48%)was higher than that of in private hospitals(13.55%).The violence events mainly occurred during day time hours.Most of the violence events occurred in wards(47.92%)in state-owned hospital.While in private hospitals,most of the violence events occurred in medical rooms(32.35%).The most important reasons for workplace violence in state-owned and private hospitals were alcohol abuse of the perpetrators (42.81%)and the dissatisfaction of the patient with the outcome of the treatment(57.35%).ConclusionThe prevalence of violence in private hospitals is lower than that of in state-owned hospitals in Tangshan city.Interventions should be implemented to reduce the incidence of violence in hospital.