Nurses’ Knowledge regarding Infection Prevention in Neutropenic Patients at Tertiary Cancer Hospital, Nepal

Abstract

Background:Neutropenia is one most common risk factor for infection and the leading causes of death in cancer patients
that may results in unexpected hospitalizations and disruption in treatment plans and regimens.
Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 nurses to assess the knowledge regarding infection prevention
in neutropenic patients to those who are working least 6 months in chemotherapy of B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital
(BPKMCH). A non-probability purposive sampling technique was adopted to select the sample and the data was collected
through a structured self- administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science
(SPSS) version 22.
Result: The study findings summarized the level of knowledge into three categories where more than half (51%) of the
respondents had good level of knowledge, 46% had moderate knowledge and 3% had poor knowledge regarding infection
prevention in neutropenic patients.
Conclusion: Though majority of the respondents had good and moderate level of knowledge regarding infection prevention
in neutropenic patients but there is still lack of Guideline/Protocol on infection prevention measures and gap in knowledge
regarding daily nursing assessment. So, there is still need to develop and implement infection prevention guidelines/
protocols and regular trainings on infection prevention from concern authority of hospital management.