Radiation Safety Knowledge and Practice Amongst Doctors in a Teaching Hospital in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Ikubor, JE^1* Awunor, NS² Atare, EE¹

¹Department of Radiology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Delta State

²Department of Community Medicine, Delta State University, Abraka Delta State

*Correspondence: Dr IKUBOR, Joyce Ekeme  

Email: joyceikuborjune12@yahoo.com

Tel: +234 8035921450

Abstract

It is important that doctors of the various specialties in a health facility requesting for radiological examinations are knowledgeable about the effect of ionizing radiation. When referring doctors know the amount of radiation their patients receive there will be justification for such investigations in line with the guiding principle of radiation protection – As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) - to minimize risk to the patient. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge and practice of radiation protection and safety amongst doctors in a Teaching Hospital in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study using a self-administered structured questionnaire among 131 doctors in Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara. Data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS v.21. Eighty-eight (67.2%) respondents had a good knowledge of radiation safety while 49 (37.4%) of respondents had a good practice of radiation protection and safety. There was an association between the department of respondents (p=0.009), awareness of body parts sensitive to radiation (p=0.005) and their knowledge of radiation safety. Also, there was an association between the department of respondents (p=0.016), their years of experience (p=0.016) and the practice of radiation safety. Knowledge of radiation safety was high while the practice of radiation protection and safety was low amongst respondents. Gender, department of doctor and awareness of body parts that are sensitive to radiation were associated with good knowledge; while department and years of experience was associated with good practice. It is recommended that doctors receive regular updates on radiation hazards, risks and protection in order to reduce the risk of exposure of patients and health workers to unnecessary ionizing radiation.

Keywords: Ionizing Radiation, Doctors, ALARA, Radiation Protection, Safety