| dc.description.abstract | INTRODUCTION; Radiation protection refers to the science and art of protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Patient radiation protection is described as all activities directed towards minimizing radiation exposure of patients during ionizing radiation exposures. This involves strict adherence to the three cardinal principles of radiation protection that is Distance, Time and Shielding. Children undergoing these examinations require special attention in terms of radiation protection due to the increased sensitivity and damaging effects of ionizing radiation in their body than in adults.
AIM. To assess if radiographers at the department adhered to the set paediatric patient radiation protection measures.
METHODS AND MATERIALS. A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst radiation workers (radiographers) in radiology department of MNRH. Data was collected using researcher observation checklists and self-administered questionnaires. Collected data was analyzed using Microsoft excel to determine percentages, generate tables, a graph and pie-chart.
RESULTS. Majority of the respondents were males (71.4%) and BMR students (53.6%). The mean age was 21 years, oldest being 36 years and the youngest being 22 years. Majority of the respondents (94.6%) understood paediatric radiation protection, the term CPD and were aware that CPD has an impact on their profession and careers (82.1%), although only one participant had attended a CPD in the previous 6 months. The facility had a radiation safety committee and supervision was carried out. For paediatric patients, 53 (56.4%) were females and 41 (43.6%) were males, the mean age was 8 years with the oldest at 16 years and the youngest at 1 year. The commonest radiological examination requested was chest x-ray, x-ray elbow, x-ray femur and abdominal x-ray.
CONCLUSION; Knowledge and adherence to radiation protection measures was generally good among BMR, DMR students and qualified radiographers. | en_US |
