Eze Cletus Uche, Abonyi Livinus Chibuzo, Njoku Jerome, Irurhe Nicholas Kayode, Olowu Oluwabola
Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis and Radiography, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Suru-Lere, Lagos, Nigeria.
Niger Med J. 2013 Nov;54(6):386-91. doi: 10.4103/0300-1652.126290.
Use of ionising radiation in diagnostic radiography could lead to hazards such as somatic and genetic damages. Compliance to safe work and radiation protection practices could mitigate such risks. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and radiation protection practices among radiographers in Lagos, Nigeria.
The study was a prospective cross sectional survey. Convenience sampling technique was used to select four x-ray diagnostic centres in four tertiary hospitals in Lagos metropolis. Data were analysed with Epi- info software, version 3.5.1.
Average score on assessment of knowledge was 73%. Most modern radiation protection instruments were lacking in all the centres studied. Application of shielding devices such as gonad shield for protection was neglected mostly in government hospitals. Most x-ray machines were quite old and evidence of quality assurance tests performed on such machines were lacking.
Radiographers within Lagos metropolis showed an excellent knowledge of radiation protection within the study period. Adherence to radiation protection practices among radiographers in Lagos metropolis during the period studied was, however, poor. Radiographers in Lagos, Nigeria should embrace current trends in radiation protection and make more concerted efforts to apply their knowledge in protecting themselves and patients from harmful effects of ionising radiation.
在诊断性放射摄影中使用电离辐射可能会导致诸如躯体损伤和遗传损伤等危害。遵守安全工作和辐射防护规范可以降低此类风险。本研究的目的是评估尼日利亚拉各斯放射技师的知识水平和辐射防护实践情况。
本研究为前瞻性横断面调查。采用便利抽样技术，在拉各斯市的四家三级医院中选取了四个X射线诊断中心。数据使用Epi - info软件3.5.1版本进行分析。
知识评估的平均得分是73%。在所研究的所有中心，大多数现代辐射防护仪器都缺失。在政府医院，大多忽略了使用诸如性腺防护等屏蔽设备进行防护。大多数X射线机相当陈旧，且缺乏对此类机器进行质量保证测试的证据。
在研究期间，拉各斯市的放射技师表现出了对辐射防护的良好知识水平。然而，在所研究期间，拉各斯市放射技师对辐射防护实践的遵守情况较差。尼日利亚拉各斯的放射技师应紧跟辐射防护的当前趋势，并做出更一致的努力，将他们的知识应用于保护自己和患者免受电离辐射的有害影响。
