Perception and Practice to Safely Manage Antineoplastic Agents among Parents of Children with Cancer

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate perception and practice for safety management of antineoplastic agents among parents of children with cancer. METHODS: The study used questionnaires of 131 parents of children with cancer who had more than one hospital admission at a tertiary hospital in Seoul. Data were collected from November 9 to November 30, 2016. The questionnaires composed of 15 questions each for perception of safety management of antineoplastic agents and for the practice of safety management of antineoplastic agents. RESULTS: The average perception of safety management of antineoplastic agents among parents of children with cancer was 73.33 out of 100 points. The average for practice was 3.76±0.59 out of 5 points. There were significant correlations between the perception and practice of antineoplastic agents safety management among parents of children with cancer (r=0.33, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed the levels of perception and practice regarding safe handling of antineoplastic agents by parents of children with cancer. It showed that there was a need to develop education program for parents of children with cancer to improve their perception and practice about safety handling of antineoplastic agents. This study recommends repeated research through the standardized tools on perception and practice about safety management of antineoplastic agents for parents of children with cancer.