Knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers toward antineoplastic drugs and safe handling in Taif hospitals, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Healthcare workers (HCWs) face significant risks when handling antineoplastic drugs (ANPD). This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pharmacists and nurses regarding safe handling of ANPD, identify influencing factors, and uncover the challenges and barriers associated with it. Eighty HCWs (56 nurses and 24 pharmacists) handling ANPD in Taif hospitals were recruited. A semi-structured questionnaire assessed KAP, and both closed and open-ended questions were used to address barriers to safe handling. Most participants were female (71.3%), with a mean age of 32.87 years. Notably, 70% of the participants were nurses, and 48.8% had received training on safe handling of ANPD. Common complaints due to ANPD exposure included dizziness (42.4%), skin irritation (27.3%), and headache (24.2%). Participants reported good knowledge (mean: 31.4 ± 3.23 out of 40), varied attitudes (mean: 5.90 ± 2.11 out of 8), and fair to good practices (mean: 28.94 ± 4.18 out of 40). Participants without training had lower knowledge scores (mean difference: −4.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −7.65 to −2.11) and lower practice scores (mean difference: −7.82; 95% CI: −10.75 to −4.89) compared to those with training. In the regression analysis, work experience (β = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.45), last training session (β = −0.34; 95% CI: −1.08 to −0.35), handling experience (β = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.38), and educational level (β = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.32 to 1.86) yielded effect estimates suggesting positive directional influence on knowledge scores except for last training session that’s means as the increase of the period without training as lower knowledge score expected. For practice scores, only the knowledge score (β = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.43 to 1.72) yielded estimates consistent with a positive directional effect. Barriers to safe handling of ANPD included improper engineering controls, insufficient training and education, high workloads, and inadequate personal protective equipment.