Knowledge and Practice Regarding Precautions of Cytotoxic Drug Administration among Nurses Working in BPKMCH Chitwan

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy is one of the important aspects of cancer treatment. Although many team members including physicians, nurses and other health workers are involved in cancer chemotherapy. Nurses are in the central position to administer the cytoctoxic drugs so they are more vulnerable for the hazardous effects of these drugs. Research studies have shown that the cytotoxic drug is highly hazardous and may have mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic properties. Good knowledge and practice of nurses can prevent them from the danger of cytotoxic drugs. This study in this context, aims to assess the knowledge and practice of nursing personnel regarding precautions during cytotoxic drug administration. Methods: The study was cross-sectional descriptive in nature. Altogether 50 nurses working in B.P.Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital were selected through purposive sampling technique. Self administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Results: Seventy percent of nurses had good knowledge and 76% of nurses had good practice in all areas regarding safety precautions of cancer chemotherapy. The most prevalent knowledge deficit was on drugs (62% answered correctly) and practice deficit was on spillage management (30% answered correctly). The study showed that educational background affected the knowledge and practice of nurses. The nurses with special training had higher knowledge than others (P=0.0002) Conclusions: The overall knowledge and practice of nurses were found to be good. Nursing curriculum should include specific content on cancer and training should be provided to them before exposure. Keywords: knowledge; nurse; practice; precaution.