Objective To investigate the adverse pregnancy outcomes of medical staff exposed to antineoplastic drugs (ADs), explore its influencing factors, and improve the occupational safety of these medical staff.
Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 235 medical staff in three hospitals in Shenzhen, including 119 in the exposed group (153 pregnancies) and 116 in the non-exposed group (156 pregnancies). The general data of subjects were obtained, and the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (spontaneous abortion, embryonic arrest, teratogenesis and stillbirth) was compared between the two groups. The influencing factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the exposed group were analyzed by binary logistic regression.
Results Totally 22 medical and nursing staff in the exposed group had adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes was 18.5%. The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes was 8.543 times higher than that in the non-exposed group (P < 0.001). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that longer time of exposure to ADs (OR = 1.181, 95%CI = 1.004 - 1.389, P = 0.044) was a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes of medical staff. Participating in related courses organized by hospital (OR = 0.185, 95% CI = 0.036-0.954), participating in training organized by department (OR = 0.056, 5%CI = 0.005-0.633) and exchanging with colleagues about knowledge of ADS-related hazard (OR = 0.094, 95%CI = 0.015-0.605), using N95 or above mask (OR = 0.127, 95% CI = 0.021-0.782) and wearing double latex gloves (OR = 0.071, 95% CI = 0.008-0.612) when dealing with ADs were protective factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes (P < 0.05).
Conclusions Occupational exposure to ADs could increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Effect protective measures should be taken to improve the protection awareness of medical staff, improve the current situation of occupational safety, and minimize the occupational hazards caused by ADs.
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