EFFECT OF A DESIGNED TEACHING PROGRAM ON SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMOTHERAPY AMONG NURSES IN A SELECTED ONCOLOGY SETTING CAIRO-EGYPT

Background Handling chemotherapy drugs by nurses put them at a great risk due to the occupational exposure consequences. Although the published recommendations by international health organizations; nurses' use of these recommendations is not universal and exposure risks are still abundant. Lack of information may prevent many nurses from taking appropriate precautions for themselves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a designed teaching program on safe handling of chemotherapy. Methods An interrupted time series quasi experimental (pre-post test) design was used on a convenient sample of 30 nurses in a selected oncology setting in Cairo-Egypt. Self-administered questionnaire, knowledge pre-post test and observational performance checklists were used to collect data related to study variables. A Pre-program assessment was done to determine the baseline level of nurses' knowledge and performance. Post-program reassessment was done twice; one week immediately after program implementation and three-month later. Results high statistical significant differences regarding nurses’ knowledge and performance mean scores were found between the pre-test, immediate post-test and three-month post-test with a t value of (32.39, 31.78, 5.63 for knowledge, &14.89, 11.69, and 8.27 for performance) respectively, at P = 0.000. Conclusions A relative improvement in nurses' knowledge and performance was found after implementation of the teaching program and manifested by a steady increase in the post-test mean scores which supported the study hypotheses. Recommendations Continuing education, training and regular performance appraisal of nurses in oncology settings are strongly recommended to reduce the unintentional chemotherapy occupational exposure. Further studies are recommended to explore different factors that may affect nurses’ compliance with safe handling of chemotherapy drugs in oncology settings.