Raghavan Vineetha, Menon Abhilash, R Nandini Devi, P Sajitha, Shenoy Praveen Kumar, T K Jithin, K G Gopakumar, K Ratheesan, Nair Chandran K
Department of Clinical Hematology and Medical Oncology, Malabar Cancer Centre, Thalassery, Kerala, India.
Department of Onco-Nursing, Malabar Cancer Centre, Thalassery, Kerala, India.
Support Care Cancer. 2025 Jun 23;33(7):617. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09679-0.
Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in chemotherapy patients. Nurses play a vital role in FN management, yet studies assessing their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) in India are limited. This study aimed to evaluate KAP among nurses in a rural Indian tertiary cancer center.
This cross-sectional KAP survey involved 111 staff nurses at a tertiary cancer center in rural India from October to November 2022. A validated questionnaire with 17 multiple-choice questions (five knowledge, five attitude, seven practice) was used. Demographic and professional details were collected.
Among 111 participants, 86.4% were female, and 55% had over 10 years of experience. Most (93%) had administered chemotherapy, and 78% had cared for FN patients. The median knowledge score was 4 (range 1-7), with an 80.36% prevalence. Only 61% correctly calculated the absolute neutrophil count. Better scores were seen among permanent staff, those who had attended FN classes, and those with prior FN care experience. The median attitude score was 5 (range 2-7), with a 90.09% prevalence of positive attitude. Nurses with prior chemotherapy administration experience and FN care experience had better scores.The median practice score was 6 (range 1-7), with a 78.42% prevalence. A key gap was identified, as 77% answered incorrectly regarding blood culture sampling during FN episodes. Nurses who attended FN educational classes scored better.
Although nurses' knowledge and attitudes were found to be satisfactory, there are noticeable gaps in their practice, especially when it comes to blood culture sampling, which suggests that focused educational programs are necessary. Improving FN management results requires strengthening practical skills through training, simulations, and protocol reinforcement.
发热性中性粒细胞减少症（FN）是化疗患者发病和死亡的主要原因。护士在FN管理中起着至关重要的作用，但在印度评估其知识、态度和实践（KAP）的研究有限。本研究旨在评估印度农村一家三级癌症中心护士的KAP情况。
这项横断面KAP调查于2022年10月至11月对印度农村一家三级癌症中心的111名注册护士进行。使用了一份经过验证的包含17个多项选择题（5个知识题、5个态度题、7个实践题）的问卷。收集了人口统计学和专业细节。
在111名参与者中，86.4%为女性，55%有超过10年的工作经验。大多数（93%）曾进行过化疗，78%曾护理过FN患者。知识得分中位数为4（范围1 - 7），患病率为80.36%。只有61%能正确计算绝对中性粒细胞计数。长期员工、参加过FN课程的人员以及有FN护理经验的人员得分更高。态度得分中位数为5（范围2 - 7），积极态度患病率为90.09%。有化疗给药经验和FN护理经验的护士得分更高。实践得分中位数为6（范围1 - 7），患病率为78.42%。发现了一个关键差距，因为77%的人在FN发作期间关于血培养采样的回答错误。参加FN教育课程的护士得分更高。
尽管发现护士的知识和态度令人满意，但他们的实践存在明显差距，尤其是在血培养采样方面，这表明有必要开展针对性的教育项目。改善FN管理结果需要通过培训、模拟和强化方案来加强实践技能。
