Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS AMONG SAUDI RADIOLOGY PERSONNEL REGARDING RADIATION PROTECTION AND RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION DOSES

Thabat A. Alfraidi*, Abdullah F. Alzayed, Nura N. Alahmadi, Aqelah A. Alsawbadi, Mona K. Alzayer, Zainab A. alsadeq

Abstract

Objectives: to assess the knowledge and awareness among Saudi radiology personnel regarding radiation protection and radiological examination doses. Methods: The study consisted of a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire consisted of three sections, the first section regarding personal characteristics, while the second section included the questions regarding assessing knowledge and awareness towards radiation protection, and potential damage due to radiation exposure, and third section included questions regarding the assessing knowledge and awareness towards radiological examination doses. The study group included a total of 103 radiology personnel of several health facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. between December 2017 and January 2018. Results: (71.8%) attended the radiation protection course. 84.5 % responders thought that it is necessary to use film-badge for radiographers during practice. 62% thought that X-ray radiation doses used for diagnostic imaging examinations might increase the risk of patients developing cancer in future. Only 27.2% knew that younger children are more susceptible to radiation risk. 80.6% knew that breast is more susceptible to ionizing radiation damage. Conclusion: There was a good level of knowledge and awareness about radiation impacts and protection among Saudi radiology personnel. But there was inadequate knowledge and awareness about radiation doses required for various radiological procedures. There is a requisite need for radiographers to improve their knowledge of radiological examination doses.

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