A Survey on the Radiation Protection Status among Radiology Staff

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

1 Student Research Committee and Department of Medical Physics, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

2 Cancer Research Center and Department of Medical Physics, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

3 Department of Medical Physics, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

4 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

5 Echocardiography Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

6 Department of Anatomical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

7 Deputy of Research and Technology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

8 Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Physics, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran

9 Student Research Committee, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Radiation exposure during radiological examination is a health concern, of which radiology professionals should be cognizant. We sought to evaluate the radiation protection knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) amongst radiology staff of hospitals across 10 provinces of Iran.
Materials and Methods: For evaluating the level of radiation protection KAP, 553 radiology staff were enrolled. A 32-item questionnaire was designed to assess radiation protection KAP, the validity which was confirmed by members of the Medical Physics and Biostatistics departments. The questionnaire evaluated the respondents' knowledge, practice, and attitudes towards the basic principles of radiation protection, the necessity of using protective equipment, and their performance in the implementation of radiation protection recommendations.
Results: We found no significant difference in the level of radiation protection KAP between male and female radiology staff and among those with different educational levels and ages (P>0.05). However, there was a significant association between radiation protection KAP and working experience, hospital size, and hospital type (P<0.05). Further, no significant difference was observed in the radiation protection KAP level among radiology staff of different regions (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Our results showed that the level of radiation protection KAP among radiology staff is inadequate. This might be due to the lack of ongoing training courses concerning protection against ionizing radiation. Thus, sustained training of radiation protection principles can promote KAP among the staff of radiology departments, and in turn, reduce public dose from medical diagnostic modalities.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 15 July 2017
  • Revise Date: 30 December 2017
  • Accept Date: 12 January 2018

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