Mohammad Al Qadire1,2, Cherry Ann C Ballad1, Ma'en Aljezawi1,2, Omar Al Omari1, Fawwaz Alaloul1, Ahmad Musa2, Sulaiman Al Sabei1, Atika Khalaf3,4. 1. College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, PC 123, P.O. Box 66, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. 2. Faculty of Nursing, Al Al-Bayt University, P.O. Box 130040, Mafraq, 25113, Jordan. 3. College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, PC 123, P.O. Box 66, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. atika.khalaf@hkr.se. 4. Faculty of Health Sciences, Kristianstad University, Elmetorpsvägen 15, 291 88, Kristianstad, SE, Sweden. atika.khalaf@hkr.se.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess nurses' level of knowledge of CIN and its association with socio-demographic factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 34.1 years (SD = 7.1 years) and were predominantly female (78%) and with a bachelor's degree in nursing (95.6%). The nurses had a moderate level of knowledge about neutropenia and its management (mean total score 16.3 out of 30, SD = 3.7). Those who had a post-graduate degree (P = .048), had received an oncology educational course (P = .011), had attended a course on neutropenia (P = .007), who were working in an oncology unit (P = .002), and had more oncology experience (P = 001) were more likely to have a higher level of knowledge of CIN and its management compared to their other counterparts. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of a moderate level of knowledge of CIN among nurses, the findings call for the need for further education and training. As a long-term plan, this might be accomplished by encouraging nurses to pursue post-graduate education or oncology-specialized certification and supporting them with scholarship grants. However, deliberate plans for short courses, training and workshops on oncology or CIN are other choices with a more immediate impact on nurses' knowledge and clinical practice. Finally, integrating oncology nursing education within nursing curricula is urgently needed.
BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess nurses' level of knowledge of CIN and its association with socio-demographic factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 34.1 years (SD = 7.1 years) and were predominantly female (78%) and with a bachelor's degree in nursing (95.6%). The nurses had a moderate level of knowledge about neutropenia and its management (mean total score 16.3 out of 30, SD = 3.7). Those who had a post-graduate degree (P = .048), had received an oncology educational course (P = .011), had attended a course on neutropenia (P = .007), who were working in an oncology unit (P = .002), and had more oncology experience (P = 001) were more likely to have a higher level of knowledge of CIN and its management compared to their other counterparts. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of a moderate level of knowledge of CIN among nurses, the findings call for the need for further education and training. As a long-term plan, this might be accomplished by encouraging nurses to pursue post-graduate education or oncology-specialized certification and supporting them with scholarship grants. However, deliberate plans for short courses, training and workshops on oncology or CIN are other choices with a more immediate impact on nurses' knowledge and clinical practice. Finally, integrating oncology nursing education within nursing curricula is urgently needed.
Authors: Gary H Lyman; Shannon L Michels; Matthew W Reynolds; Rich Barron; Karen Smoyer Tomic; Jingbo Yu Journal: Cancer Date: 2010-08-16 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Maram Abou Saleh; Rose Ngozi Mafiana; Mohammed Al Za'abi; Ragini Vaishnav; Salam Al Kindi; Ibrahim Al-Zakwani Journal: Int J Clin Pharm Date: 2013-10-08