Knowledge, Exposure and Preventive Practices Regarding Haematotoxic Chemicals Among Healthcare Workers, Medical and Science Students: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Healthcare workers, medical students and science students are frequently exposed to chemicals with haematotoxic potential, yet awareness and adherence to preventive measures remain unclear. This study assessed the knowledge, exposure and preventive practices regarding haematotoxic chemicals among 412 participants in Nigeria using a structured self‐administered questionnaire. A total of 412 completed responses were analysed, representing a 98.1% response rate from the calculated target sample size of 420. Overall, 58.7% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge, whereas 76.5% reported regular exposure to at least one haematotoxic chemical. Preventive practices were suboptimal, with only 46.8% adhering to recommended safety protocols. Knowledge level was significantly associated with preventive practices ( χ ²  = 29.63; df = 2; p  < 0.0001; Cramér's V  = 0.27), and healthcare workers exhibited higher knowledge and exposure compared to students ( χ ²  = 16.27; df = 4; p  = 0.0026 and χ ²  = 24.91; df = 2; p  < 0.0001, respectively). These findings indicate that while general awareness exists, gaps in detailed knowledge and safety behaviour persist. Structured training, institutional enforcement and improved access to personal protective equipment are recommended to minimize occupational and academic exposure to haematotoxic chemicals.