Evaluating Knowledge, Attitudes and Preparedness of Nurses in the Emergency Department of Urmia and Tabriz Dealing with CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Nuclear and Radioactive accidents) Research and Writing

Abstract

Abstract: Background and aim: Throughout the history, war has occurred in various forms. But in the age we live in, the issues of war and peace rely on more complicated methods and techniques day by day and despite the slogan of disarmament and concluding the contracts of restriction of the weapons and end of the cold war, the competition for the production of chemical, biological, nuclear and radioactive weapons still continues. Therefore, considering the extent of disaster causing uncontrollable fear among people and also, the lack of awareness of hospital personnel about the nature and method of dealing with this event; the existence of a resource which present necessary information for preparation of the hospital and emergency for admission of these wounded seems very necessary. This issue shows the importance of the crisis team`s preparedness in this part more than ever. But, despite this importance, the preparedness of health centers for confronting these crisis is dramatically low. Materials and method: The present study is a descriptive study that was conducted on all nurses working in emergencies of cities of Urmia and Tabriz. In this study, a three-part questionnaire was used to collect information in which, the first part consisted of personal characteristics and the second part was related to the researcher-made knowledge variable. The modified questionnaire of EPIQ (Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire) was also used for preparedness variable. Findings: The findings showed that, total average of knowledge score was 9.70 (5.58), and average of attitude score was 29.31(8.10), and the average of preparedness score was 57.95+_ 20.98. The nurse`s Knowledge and attitude at the time of encountering with CBRN events was at moderate level and total average of score of nurse`s preparedness at the time of encountering with CBRN events was at weak level. Discussion and conclusion: The findings of this research showed that considering the seriousness of the risk of using CBRN factors and need for a full preparedness of health workers against these risks , which would lead to widespread human disasters and according to the findings of this research which shows very few nurse`s information about CBRN , the method of this method can be as a pattern for initiating interventions in the field of giving relief and treatment education of disasters caused by bioterrorism to health personnel , because nurses, as the first line of care and treatment, need to be aware of the effects of bioterrorism disasters on community health.