Oncology Healthcare Providers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression in Ovarian Cancer in Haikou, China

Xiaohang Liu,1 Jiashou Tao2 1Department of Gynecology, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 570311, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hainan Cancer Hospital, Haikou, Hainan, 570000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jiashou Tao, Email [email protected]: Chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression can profoundly affect patient prognosis. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of oncology healthcare providers regarding chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in patients with ovarian cancer.Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Hainan General Hospital from September 14 to December 12, 2023, and enrolled oncology healthcare providers. A self-designed questionnaire (Cronbach’s α=0.826) was used to collect participant characteristics and KAP scores. Multivariable logistic regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were performed to determine the factors influencing KAP and the relationships among KAP dimensions.Results: The analysis included 516 participants. The median knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 31 (19, 35) (/36, 86.11%), 23 (18, 27) (/35, 65.71%), and 39 (29, 45.5) (/50, 78.00%), respectively. The multivariable analysis showed that the female gender (OR=0.481, 95% CI: 0.259– 0.893, P=0.020), oncologist (OR=0.451, 95% CI: 0.220– 0.923, P=0.029), gynecology nurse (OR=2.530, 95% CI: 1.121– 5.709, P=0.025), oncology nurse (OR=2.225, 95% CI: 1.061– 4.664, P=0.034), knowledge score > 31 (OR=13.969, 95% CI: 7.615– 25.625, P< 0.001), and attitude score > 23 (OR=9.127, 95% CI: 5.111– 16.300, P< 0.001) were independently associated with a practice score > 39. In the adjusted SEM, knowledge directly influenced attitude (β=0.817, P=0.010) and practice (β=0.349, P=0.010), attitude directly influenced practice (β=0.566, P=0.010), and knowledge indirectly influenced practice (β=0.462, P=0.010).Conclusion: This study revealed that oncology healthcare providers in oncology and obstetrics/gynecology in Haikou, China, had good knowledge and practice but moderate attitudes regarding chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in patients with ovarian cancer. This study identified categories of healthcare providers who would benefit from educational activities and training. Improving the KAP toward chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in cancer patients could help improve patient outcomes. Policymakers should also facilitate the KAP improvements in healthcare professionals.Keywords: ovarian cancer, chemotherapy, myelosuppression, healthcare providers, KAP, cross-sectional study