P-362 PRACTICES OF THE SAFE HANDLING AND HEALTH EFFECTS OF CYTOTOXIC DRUGS AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS OF AN ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT IN A REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN TUNISIA

The healthcare sector is a risk sector that exposes to a multitude of occupational hazards dominated by the chemical risk. This risk originates from toxic, irritant or corrosive substances. A particular exposure is that to cytostatic drugs. The aim of this study is to assess the practices and health effects on healthcare workers (HCW) handling cytotoxic drugs. A cross-sectional study conducted in January 2023 among HCW of the oncology ward of Gafsa regional hospital in Tunisia. Health effects of cytotoxic drugs, handling practices and cytotoxic waste management were assessed using a face-to-face questionnaire. The chemotherapy preparation rooms were equipped with laminar flow hoods. However, 78% of the participants prepared chemotherapy in the corridor. Personal protective equipment’s (PPE) worn when handling drugs or cytotoxic waste were a pair of latex gloves and a surgical mask. Cutaneous contamination by cytotoxic drugs were reported by 61.9% of participants. Fertility problems and spontaneous abortion concerned 14.3% and 35.7% of female participants respectively. Anticancer drugs are the main hazardous medications to which HCW are exposed. Our study revealed a gap between the practices adopted by the participants and international recommendations. This could explain the relatively high risk of contamination. The use of cytotoxic drugs is rapidly expanding. This study has demonstrated the lack of awareness and training of HCW handling these hazardous drugs. This study is the first step in a preventive approach aimed at protecting the healthcare professionals concerned.