Perception, Knowledge, Clinical Competency Regarding Safe Handling of Chemotherapeutic Drugs Among Staff Nurses: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Introduction:

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It requires verity of treatment but among then chemotherapy is the most. It’s handled by nurses and they are at risk.  Handling chemotherapy drugs needs a special knowledge, perception and skill. The positive perception, better knowledge and skilled clinical competency are the major weapon for nurses about handling of chemotherapy agents, and the assessment can help in raising the impact on quality of life of nurses.

Objectives:

To assess perception, knowledge, clinical competency regarding safe handling of chemotherapeutic drugs among staff nurses

Methods:

A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted to assess the perception, knowledge, clinical competency regarding safe handling of chemotherapeutic drugs among staff nurses working in selected Hospitals at Mangaluru, India. 90 samples were selected by using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured perception rating scale of safe handling of chemotherapy to assess the perception. Structured knowledge questionnaire of safe handling of chemotherapy drugs to assess the knowledge. Structured observation checklist of safe handling of chemotherapy to assess the clinical competency.  Data were analyzed using descriptive frequency, percentage, mean, median, standard deviation and inferential statistics Chi square test for finding the association.

Results:

The findings of the study showed that 66.66% were aged between 21 and 25 years. 86.7% were female and 93.3% were staff nurse, 60% were with GNM- education, 37.78% held B.Sc. Nursing degrees. 54.44% having only 1 to 2 years of experience, 100% had not attended any continuing nursing education (CNE) programs. The mean perception score was high at 98.97 ± 11.42, while knowledge and clinical competency scores were 35.36 ± 8.72 and 33.14 ± 3.01 respectively, suggesting moderate levels with some variability. A statistically significant association was observed between perception and age (F = 4.089, p = 0.020), indicating that perception may vary with experience or maturity. However, no significant associations were found between knowledge or clinical competency and any demographic variables (p > 0.05). 

Conclusions:

The study concluded that, overall, these findings highlight the importance of structured educational initiatives to enhance professional growth, knowledge and clinical competence among nurses.