| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 臨床暨社區護理研究所 === 100 === Objectives: The study aimed to understand the knowledge, attitude and behavior of nurses safe handling chemotherapeutic agents (CTAs), then to explore the related factors and the correlation between the knowledge, attitude and behavior.
Background: Experts have been published guidelines of safe handling of CTAs in 1980s. However, recent studies have demonstrated that nurses and their working environment were still exist exposure to CTAs. It has showed that nurses are not complied with guidelines, possibly due to inadequate knowledge and not paying attention toward safety handling CTAs.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey, nurses of one medical center in Taipei was recruited. Data were obtained via a structural questionnaire developed by the researcher, comprised the knowledge, attitude and behavior sections. Dichotomously scoring of the knowledge, and a 5-point Likert scale scoring of the attitude and behavior were used in the questionnaire.
Results: A total of 203 nurses participated, giving a 94.5% response rate. The mean correct answer rate for 20-items of knowledge section was 60.9%. Attitude regarding safe handling CTAs was toward intermediate and positive (3.5±0.4 points). Behavior of prevention exposure (4.7±0.4 points) and use of protection equipments (4.4±0.4 points) were good and positive, but the correct rate of the behavior of handle with CTAs wastes was only 73.7%. Participants with older age, more working experiences, day shift and self report of good knowledge reached higher knowledge level and positive attitude regarding CTAs, but with fewer number of chemotherapy administration reached higher behavior level. A positive correlation was identified between knowledge and attitude, as well as attitude and behavior. However, oncology nurses have significant better knowledge level, but non-oncology nurses have significant better behavior.
Conclusions: Nurses had insufficient knowledge, but with positive attitude toward CTAs. However, their behavior toward safety handling CTAs were varied. Educational programs regarding safety handling of CTAs and its wastes are suggested, in order to raise the knowledge level, as well as improved in actual behavior.
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