Knowledge and Attitudes of Safe Handling of Chemotherapy Drugs among Oncology Nurses at Teaching Hospital

This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes of oncology nurses at Jordan University Hospital in Jordan concerning the safe handling of chemotherapy drugs. A descriptive study was conducted utilizing a structured questionnaire, which was distributed to 106 nurses at Jordan University Hospital selected through stratified random sampling. The inclusion criteria focused on registered nurses with experience in handling chemotherapy drugs, including those involved in their administration, or disposal within the hospital. Nurses working in non-oncology departments, those with less than one year of experience, and those undergoing orientation programs were excluded from the study. The results showed the oncology nurses possess inadequate knowledge about chemotherapy exposure and use of PPES, where knowledge about chemotherapy exposure scored mean 4.8 and SD 1.01 within possible score 1-12, while knowledge about use of PPEs scored mean 10.3 and SD 2.21 within possible score 7-24. Additionally, the analysis showed negative attitude of handling chemotherapy drugs among the oncology nurses, the scored mean was 21 out of a range of 15-50, with SD 2.8. The oncology nurses demonstrate insufficient knowledge and exhibit a negative attitude toward the safe handling of chemotherapy drugs. Consequently, there is a critical need to update national guidelines on safe handling practices and implement initiatives such as seminars, workshops, and training programs is essential to improve knowledge, foster positive attitudes, and promote safer handling practices among oncology nurses.