Role of Occupational Health and Safety Program in Improving Knowledge and Practice Among Nurses Exposed to Chemotherapy at Zagazig University Hospitals

Abstract

Introduction: Many cytotoxic drugs (CDs) are known to be teratogenic and mutagenic to humans. Nurses are the main groups that are exposed to these drugs in hospital setting. Generally, the occupational activities that pose a greatest risk of exposure are the preparation and administration of CDs, cleaning of CDs spills, and handling of patient excreta. Aim of work and Objectives: This study aims to protect nurses from CDs exposure hazards with the following objectives: 1)To determine health hazards of CDs exposures.2)To apply a health education program for improving knowledge and practice of nurses exposed to CDs.3)To evaluate the effect of health education program on improving the knowledge and practice of nurses exposed to CDs. Materials and Methods: An interventional study (health education program) carried on 50 nurses exposed to CDs in oncology units (Pre and post intervention) at Zagazig University Hospitals. All nurses were subjected to a structured questionnaire included questions about: personal and socio-demographic characteristics, occupational history, and knowledge about CDs drugs. A performance checklist was used to assess the practice of nurses. All nurses were subjected to health education program. Results: Improvement in knowledge among the studied nurses was only affected by nurses' job rank as the knowledge of supervisors improved more than the knowledge of staff nurses. The practice of nurses was not affected by socio-demographic characteristics. It also showed that there was a statistical significant improvement of total knowledge and total performance after intervention by health education (4.0% vs. 98.0% and 4.0% vs. 56.0% respectively). Conclusion: The level of knowledge of nurses about CDs was not satisfactory; also there was a significant improvement of knowledge and practices among the studied nurses handling cytotoxic drugs after intervention.

Knowledge and Practices on the Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs Among Oncology Nurses Working at Tertiary Teaching Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…The authors used a structured, pre-tested self-administered questionnaire to collect data. The questionnaire was adapted from previous literature 15,19,30,32 comprising of three major sections, namely, section one composed of demographic data of the nurses such as age, sex, educational, marital status, total years' work experience, and training course on chemotherapy. Section two and three consisted of safe handling knowledge and practices of CDs respectively and the availability and utilization of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).…”

“…9,[14][15][16][17][18] Nurses are the main groups that are exposed to CDs in hospital settings having occupational activities that pose the greatest risk of exposure including preparation and administration of CDs, cleaning of CDs spills and handling of patient excreta. [19][20][21] Occupational exposure CDs and related waste may occur during preparing, administering, transporting, and storing drugs and when handling cytotoxic waste, transporting and disposing of waste, and cleaning up spills. Exposure may occur through skin absorption, inhalation of aerosols and drug droplets, eye contact through a splash of liquids, ingestion, and sharps stick injury.…”

“…23 Nurses who are exposed to CDs have reported acute health effects such as hair loss, skin rash, eczema, skin flush, lightheadedness, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting, and gastro intestine symptoms. 9,16,19,[23][24][25][26][27] Among the possible reproductive side effects experienced by exposed nurses were infertility, abortion, and abnormalities in fetuses. 9,19,22,26,27 Safe handling of CDs is a monumental aspect of cancer management since these drugs have been identified as hazardous drugs.…”

“…9,16,19,[23][24][25][26][27] Among the possible reproductive side effects experienced by exposed nurses were infertility, abortion, and abnormalities in fetuses. 9,19,22,26,27 Safe handling of CDs is a monumental aspect of cancer management since these drugs have been identified as hazardous drugs. 16 Knowledge is critical to safe nursing practice in all settings, but it is especially very important when handling CDs because knowledge deficit about these CDs handling may threaten personal safety or the safety of the patient.…”

Knowledge and associated factors towards cytotoxic drug handling among University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital health professionals, institutional-based cross-sectional study

“…Previous studies regarding knowledge revealed a need for training and delivering protective equipment to those working in oncology units [19,20]. Knowledge about cytotoxic drug handing can help professionals in reducing cytotoxicity of CDs which is associated with the job rank of professionals [21]. Antineoplastic drugs (CDS) are known to cause problems to health workers, the environment, and the general public [22].…”