Bioterrorism education effect on knowledge and attitudes of nurses

Abstract

Context:The most important way against bioterrorism is reinforcement of knowledge of health and medical team to diagnose and rapid reaction during these events.Aims:To assess the effect of bioterrorism education on knowledge and attitudes of nurses.Settings and Design:the setting of study was one of the infectious disease wards, emergency rooms or internal wards of the hospitals under supervision of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.Materials and Methods:In this pre-experimental study, 65 nurses who had all inclusion criteria are selected by accessible sampling method. Data on nurses knowledge and attitudes toward bioterrorism were collected using a self-administered questionnaire before and after two two-h sessions education. After a month of education, the units responded to questionnaire again.Statistical Analysis Used:A descriptive statistics Wilcoxon tests and Spearman correlation coefficient were used.Results:Before education, the majority of units (96.9%) had low knowledge about bioterrorism (0-33.3% score of 100%),whereas after education, the majority of them (100%) had good knowledge(well done) (66.7-100% score of 100%). And majority of units (96.9%) before education had indifferent attitude toward bioterrorism (33.4-66.6% score of 100%), whereas a majority of them (98.5%) after education had positive attitude (66.7-100% score of 100%).Conclusions:The education has a positive effect on nurses’ knowledge and attitudes and it can be a guideline for administrators of the Ministry of Health and medicine for planning to achieve the goals of preventive and defense against bioterrorism.

An Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude of Iranian Nurses Towards Bioterrorism

“…Two others studies confirmed that nurses as the first responders did not have enough knowledge and preparedness to deal with bioterrorism attacks even in developed countries (19,20). Similarly, the research of aghaei and bagheri-nesami (2013) showed that the majority of Iranian nurses (96.9%) had low knowledge about bioterrorism (4). Some other studies defined that Health care personnel, including trained nurses and physicians, had greater willingness to treat bioterrorism patients and injuries (4,21,22).…”

“…Therefore, they should have the necessary skills to prepare and protect themselves, their patients, and families from becoming infected (1)(2)(3). In the recent century, bioterrorist attacks increased around the world (4). Bioterrorism is a potential hazard to the health of people around the world (4,5).…”

“…In the recent century, bioterrorist attacks increased around the world (4). Bioterrorism is a potential hazard to the health of people around the world (4,5). The goal of bioterrorism is to create death, disease, and fear by using organisms or their products, such as toxins (6).…”

Evaluation of knowledge and preparedness of medical, dentistry, nursing and laboratory science technology students against a potential bioterrorism attack in Birjand University of Medical Sciences, 2017

“…Aghaei et al by measuring knowledge and attitude of nurses revealed that 96% of the participants had little knowledge about bioterrorism before the intervention. Before training, the majority of the participants in the study (96.9%) had an indifferent attitude (33 -66 out of 100) about bioterrorism (1).…”

“…To fulfill their responsibilities, they need to be trained by taking part in relevant courses during their undergraduate education. In case of potential bioterrorism attacks, appropriate level of knowledge and preparedness is essential for medical, health and laboratory personnel team to ensure a proper medical response to such outbreaks (1,2).…”