Radiation Awareness amongst radiation workers in Diagnostic Radiology Department of a public sector hospital in Khyberpakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of improvement amongst radiation workers of both sexes regarding knowledge of ionizing radiations and principles of radiation protection both for staff and patient's while performing routine diagnostic procedures after attending a dedicated refresher course of one (01) month on Radiation awareness and protection. 

MATERIALS & METHOD:  Forty six  (46) radiation workers (38 male and 08 female) out a total 60 radiation workers participated in this refresher course and have filled the pre and post Performa on basics of ionizing radiations, cellular interaction /radio-biology, biological effects of ionizing radiations, radiation protection principles and strategies to minimize patient dose which lasts for one month. The participants were asked to fill a questionnaire comprising twenty questions before starting the sessions to know their existing knowledge. Course materials prepared accordingly and the same Performa was filled from the participants after the sessions to find out the improvement after attending the course.

RESULTS: Mean scores of all radiation workers in pre-sessions assessment was 39.35% which improved to 61.95% after attending the dedicated course designed with a mean difference of 22.6% (p<      0.0000001).The female radiation workers awareness level improvement was higher (pre: 36.25%, post: 59.38%) than male workers (pre: 40.0%, post: 62.5%). The workers having intermediate and higher qualification did better (pre: 38.42%, post: 61.45%) than the ones who have only metric (pre: 43.75%, post:64.38%) and workers having relevant diploma in radiology scored (pre: 42.86%, post: 65.48%) than the workers who haven't got diploma (pre: 37.0%, post: 59.0%).

CONCLUSION: The knowledge about basics of ionizing radiations and protection of both staff & patients before the sessions was not satisfactory as it should be.  An improvement was found amongst the radiation workers about their knowledge and understanding after attending the dedicated course on radiation awareness designed according to their needs. The awareness amongst radiation workers can be improved by consistently conducting such sessions on radiation protection and updating them time to time about the new developments and researches in their field to boost their skills and it can be achieved with the coordination & cooperation of hospital & regulatory bodies and through concurrent efforts and planning.