Educational Preparation and Perceived Proficiency of Nurses Working in Oncology Units at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a malignant pathologic disorder, which poses a global threat to the health and survival of an individual, both young and old. Globally, nurses are considered very vital in all aspects of cancer control due to their impact on the quality of care outcomes which is greatly influenced by specialized training in oncology nursing. However, in Nigeria and some parts of Africa, there is dearth of information and documentation on the nurses' educational preparation and proficiency of nurses in delivery of oncology care. Aim: This study assessed educational preparation and perceived proficiency of nurses working in oncology units at University College Hospital, Ibadan to provide information oncology nursing training of these nurses as well as their perceived proficiency. Methods: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. Permission and clearance were obtained from the Joint University of Ibadan/UCH ethical review committee and subsequently head nurses in each unit and the nurses that participated. A purposive sampling method was used for selection of participants and a structured questionnaire with reliability coefficient value of 0.94 was used for data collection. Data were entered using SPSS version 20 and data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 104 nurses working in oncology units fully participated in the study. For age, mean ± SD was 35 years ± 6. 54.4% of respondents had diploma professional training in general nursing as their highest level of education. Most of the respondents 88.5% did not have certification in oncology nursing, 77.9% had no form of specialized training in oncology care. The only exposure to oncology nursing training for most of the participants was during their basic training in nursing and midwifery schools but duration of exposure could not be ascertained. Most 64.4% of respondents felt their exposure to oncology nursing care wasn't adequate. 62.7% affirmed there was no educational institution that caters for specialized oncology training in their locality. However, 55.8% of the respondents considered themselves as highly proficient in giving oncology care. There was no statistically significant association between years of experience in oncology care and perceived proficiency χ2 value χ2 = 3.05, pv = 0.11. Conclusion: This findings revealed the training in oncology nursing among nurses is not adequate as the only oncology nursing training exposure was at the basic nursing schools. Hence the need to establish oncology nursing training programs for nurses in cancer care in Nigeria. This will go a long way to influence cancer control.