assessment of educational intervention effects on the level of oxidative stress parameters and performance in oncology staff

Background: occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs causes the production of free radicals and their reaction with macromolecules in the body. objectives: 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. methods: 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. results: 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). conclusions: 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.