Assessment of Educational Intervention Effects on the Level of Oxidative Stress Parameters and Performance in Oncology Staff

Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs causes the production of free radicals and their reaction with macromolecules in the body.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational intervention by using urinary oxidative stress indices of the oncology staff in Iranian hospitals.

Healthy full-time oncology and pharmacy staff (n = 45) participated in this prospective interventional study. The training of the personnel for proper handling of the antineoplastic drugs was given. During their work shift, their performance was recorded in a checklist. Urinary oxidative stress indices of the staff and scores of their performances were obtained before and after their training.

The mean performance score of all oncology staff was statistically higher than after 2 months of educational intervention (P < 0.001). The mean activity levels of Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase enzymes of all oncology staff was statistically lower than after 2 months of educational intervention (P < 0.001). The mean level of Malondialdehyde of all oncology staff was statistically lower than after 2 months of educational intervention (P < 0.05).

Educational intervention increased oncology staff performance score and it affected the level of the oxidative stress parameters 2 months after the educational intervention by decreasing the activity of enzymes and the level of malondialdehyde.