Nurses’ knowledge of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and its management: a cross-sectional survey

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.