Bioterrorism knowledge and educational participation of nurses in Missouri.
BACKGROUND
Nurses are integral to bioterrorism preparedness, but nurses' bioterrorism preparedness knowledge has not been evaluated well.


METHODS
Missouri Nurses Association members (1,528) were studied in the summer of 2006 to assess their bioterrorism knowledge and the perceived benefits of education as well as barriers to education.


RESULTS
The response rate was 31%. Most respondents (60%, n = 284) received no bioterrorism education. Nurses who were nurse practitioners (t = -2.42, p < .05), were male (t = -2.99, p < .01), or were on a planning committee (t = -1.96, p = .05) had received more education than other nurses. The most commonly cited barrier to education (46.6%, n = 221) was not knowing where to obtain training. One third of respondents (31.2%) reported no interest in receiving bioterrorism education in the future. Nurses' average score on the knowledge test was 73%. The most commonly missed questions pertained to infection control and decontamination procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Bioterrorism preparedness training should be offered through continuing education and nursing school curricula.
Rebmann
Terri
T
Institute for Biosecurity, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
Mohr
Lisa Buettner
LB
D000328:Adult; D023482:Bioterrorism; D002959:Civil Defense / Q000193:education; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires