Safe Handling Practice of Chemotherapy Drugs Among Oncology Unit Health Care Professionals Working at Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals of Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2024

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy drugs are critical component of cancer treatment, but poor chemotherapy drug handling can pose a significant risk to the safety of oncology unit personnel involved in oncology services. Adherence of chemotherapy drugs safe handling protocols, and poor practice, will point to targets for improvement and possible interventions to minimize chemotherapy drug exposure. Objective: To assess safe handling practice of chemotherapy drugs among oncology unit health care professionals at Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals of Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2024 Method: A cross-sectional study design was conducted from January 1 to January 30, 2024, in Amhara Regional Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals among 116 oncology unit doctors, nurses, and pharmacists with census approach. Oncology unit doctors, nurses, and pharmacists were asked to self-assess their chemotherapy drug handling practice using the Cyto-SAT tool. The data were analyzed by using SPSS version 23 software. A binary logistic regression analysis model was used to determine factors that affect safe handling practices. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: A total of 116 oncology unit healthcare professionals involved in the study. The total practice scores of healthcare professionals towards the safe handling practice of chemotherapy drugs were 60.3%. The mean scores of practices were 377.68 ± 67.31. Nurse Healthcare professions and those worked at oncology unit for more than five years have good safe handling practices. Conclusion: There was an inadequate safe handling practice of chemotherapy drugs and the implementation of guidelines among healthcare professionals, which requires more frequent inservice training, monitoring, and evaluation of their practice.