الفهرس 
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Abstract
Background: Handling chemotherapy drugs by nurses put them at a great risk due to the occupational exposure consequences. Although published recommendations by international health organizations, nurses’ use of these recommendations is not universal and exposure risks are still abundant. Lack of knowledge may prevent many nurses from taking appropriate precautions for themselves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a designed teaching program on safe handling of chemotherapy in Cairo-Egypt. Methods: An interrupted time series quasi experimental (pre-post test) design was used on a convenient sample of 30 nurses in a selected oncology setting in Cairo-Egypt. Tools: self-administered questionnaire, pre-post test and observational checklist were used. A Pre-program assessment was done to determine the baseline level of nurses’ knowledge and performance. Post- program reassessment was done twice; immediately (within one week) and three-month later. Results: high statistical significant differences regarding nurses’ knowledge mean scores with t value of (32.39, 31.78, and 5.63) respectively and performance (14.89, 11.69, and 8.27) respectively were found between pre-test, post-test and three-month post-test, with P value of Conclusions: Nurses who attended the designed teaching program showed a relative improvement in their knowledge and performance, manifested by a steady increase in the post-test mean scores which supported the study hypotheses. Recommendations: Continuous education and regular performance appraisal of the oncology nurses are strongly recommended to reduce the unintentional occupational exposure. Further studies are recommended to explore different factors that may affect the nurses’ compliance with safe handling of chemotherapy drugs in oncology settings.