2ⁿᵈ Edition of the Cancer R&D World Conference 2026

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases (18.1 million excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and nearly 10.0 million cancer deaths (9.9 million excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) occurred in 2020. Chronic health effects of chemotherapeutic drugs include mutations, carcinogenicity, and adverse reproductive outcomes such as infertility, miscarriage, and poor neonatal outcomes.

Objectives:  This study aimed to assess the practice of safe handling and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs and the associated factors among oncology nurses in selected public federal government hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2023.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire distributed by professional nurses. The data were entered into Epi Info version 7.0 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize independent variables. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the factors associated with the practice of safe handling and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs. A 95% confidence interval and a p-value of less than 0.05 were used to determine statistical significance. Results were presented using tables, charts, and graphs as appropriate.

Results: The majority of participants (62.25%) were in the 20–30 age range, and females accounted for 70.25% of the study population, compared to 29.75% males. Male oncology nurses were twice as likely to practice safe handling and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs compared to their female counterparts [AOR=2.081; 95% CI: 6.876–21.226]. Nurses who received training on chemotherapeutic drug handling and administration were also twice as likely to practice safe handling compared to those without such training [AOR=2.004; 95% CI: 1.034–3.885].

Conclusions and Recommendations:  The findings suggest that gender, knowledge about handling and administering chemotherapeutic drugs, and training significantly influence safe practices among oncology nurses. Male nurses demonstrated higher odds of good practices compared to females. Additionally, knowledge and training were strongly associated with better practices. It is recommended that efforts to improve training and knowledge on safe handling and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs be prioritized to enhance compliance and safety among oncology nurses.

Keywords: Chemotherapeutic Drugs, Drug Administration Practice, Safe Handling, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.