Nurses' and Medical Officers' Knowledge, Attitude, and Preparedness Toward Potential Bioterrorism Attacks

Abstract

Terrorist attacks are increasingly becoming more lethal and less discriminate. The threat of bioterrorism is increasing daily. The ease of production and the broad availability of biological agents and technical know-how have led to a further spread of biological weapons and an increased desire among nations as well as terrorists to have them. Health professionals in emergency departments are expected to play crucial roles in the management of victims of bioterrorism when bioterrorism occurs. This study explored the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness of emergency department nurses and medical officers (MOs) toward potential bioterrorist attacks in Ghana. This qualitative study utilized focus group discussions and semistructured interviews to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness of emergency department nurses and MOs toward potential bioterrorist attacks in Ghana. Data were subjected to a qualitative content analysis in which three main thematic categories were developed. These thematic categories are as follows: (a) differences in bioterrorism knowledge between emergency department nurses and emergency department MOs, (b) unprepared emergency department nurses and MOs for care during bioterrorism attacks, and (c) positive attitudes of emergency department nurses and MOs toward bioterrorism preparedness. Although emergency MOs had better knowledge of bioterrorism than their nursing counterparts, both groups of health professionals were unprepared to respond to any form of bioterrorism. Both nurses and MOs indicated the need for staff education and infrastructure readiness to be able to respond effectively to a bioterrorist attack. A well-prepared emergency department and health professionals against bioterrorism could prevent high casualty rates in a bioterrorist attack and also serve a dual purpose of dealing with other natural disasters when they occur.

Knowledge and practice of nursing students regarding bioterrorism and emergency preparedness: comparison of the effects of simulations and workshop

“…The results of another study which was conducted to compare a computerized bioterrorism versus a standard bioterrorism education and training program on the participants’ responses to biological agents showed that both programs improved participants’ ability [ 20 ]. Atakro, Addo [ 21 ] assessed and compared the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness of emergency department nurses and medical officers concerning potential bioterrorist attacks in Ghana. Their results showed that bioterrorism knowledge between emergency department nurses and emergency department MOs was different.…”

Comparison of the effect of bioterrorism education through two methods of lecture and booklet on the knowledge and attitude of nurses of Shams Al-Shomus Nezaja Hospital

“…Researchers considered it is necessary to plan for the inclusion of bioterrorism educational content in the curriculum of nursing schools. [ 24 ]…”

Do Health-Care Students Know About Chemical Biological Radioactive Nuclear Weapons?

“…23 Wiesner et al demonstrated the importance of receiving educational training on disaster medicine in a cohort study. 19 Demirağ et al 24,25 found that 45.1% of paramedic students had no knowledge about bioterrorism. In another study comparing whether nurses and medical staff were prepared for a bioterrorism attack, it was found that paramedics were better prepared than nurses, although both groups were found to be insufficient.…”

“…In another study comparing whether nurses and medical staff were prepared for a bioterrorism attack, it was found that paramedics were better prepared than nurses, although both groups were found to be insufficient. 25 Arslan mentioned that emergency personnel should be provided with training on CBRNW, that in-service training was not performed in some hospitals, and that decontamination units were not suitable. 26 The CBRNW regulations were enforced in Turkey in 2012.…”