Knowledge, Attitude, and Performance of Oncology Nurses Handling Antineoplastic Drugs in Hospitals of Urmia University, Iran

Antineoplastic drugs (ANDs) for the treatment of cancers could result in the occupational exposure of nurses
and consequent side effects. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and performance of oncology
nurses and to survey nurses’ chemotherapy workload and the experienced side effects. A cross-sectional study
was conducted at four hospitals of Urmia University, Iran. Two self-reported questionnaires were distributed
among 54 oncology nurses to collect information on nurses’ workload and side effects as well as to evaluate
their level of knowledge, attitude, and performance. Totally, 54 nurses were participated in the study. The
mean age and chemotherapy work experience of nurses were 32.4±6.5 and 4.3±3.5 yrs, respectively. Nearly
52% and 36% of nurses reported the lack of safety guideline and training program at their workplaces,
respectively. Hair loss, headache, and period abnormalities were the most reported side effects of exposure
with ANDs. All nurses prepared ANDs in biological safety cabinet but 85.5% and 37% of nurses used the
respiratory and eye protection during drug preparation. The mean score of knowledge, attitude, and
performance of nurses was 9.43±1.5 out of 12, 39.14±6.5 out of 60, and 13.41±4.7 out of 23, respectively. The
result clearly points to the fact that there is a need for implementation of guidelines and training in studied
oncology units. Through the provision of proper personal protection and regarded training, hospitals could
demonstrate organizational support leading to improvement of knowledge and performance as well as
decrease of nurses’ concerns in exposure with ANDs.