Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice in Preventing Infection Among Patients With Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND

Oncology patients receiving chemotherapy are at a high risk for developing infections. Identifying factors that predict infection practices among these patients can help improve the quality of care provided.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to infection prevention in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 patients with cancer.

RESULTS

The majority of participants had a low to moderate level of knowledge, with high levels of attitude and practice related to infection prevention. Knowledge was a significant predictor of attitude and practice, while attitude was a predictor of infection prevention practices. Knowledge and attitude emerged as mutual predictors, which could explain 23% of the variation in practice toward infection prevention (R2 = 0.230, P = .00).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicated that both knowledge and attitude were powerful predictors of practice toward infection prevention.