Abstract:

Abstract: Introduction: Umbilical Cord Blood(UCB) used as a source of hematopietic stem cells for bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Knowledge of the nurses is vital to success the science of Umbilical Cord Blood Banking. Aim of the study: Researchers sought to assess nurses' knowledge regarding umbilical cord blood banking and identifying the barriers of it to be applied as their support is crusial to the success of development and functioning of cord blood banks in Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt. Research design: Descriptive study design was utilized in this study. Subjects and Methods: All nurses who work in Obstetrics and Gynecological department, Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt, were included in the study between October 2014 and January 2015. Data were collected in interviews by using an interview form developed by the researchers according to the literature. All nurses were 150. Results: Nurses' Knowledge about UCBB are lacking , inadequate knowledge represented 79.7% and they identified from their point of view that the costs of the umbilical cord blood banks, policies and procedures are barriers of conducting such new technology in their hospitals. Conclusion and Recommendations: Nurses' level of knowledge on UCBB is inadequate and this indicates the necessity of creation of educational programs and continual training with the use of UCBB. Also nurses must be equipped to know the approved standards and understanding UCBB. Keywords: nurses' knowledge, stem cells, umbilical cord blood banking