Ionizing Radiation Hazards among Radiology Health Team

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 B.Sc. in Nursing

2 Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Ain Shams University-Cairo-Egypt.

3 Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing-Faculty of Nursing - Ain Shams University-Cairo-Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Ionizing radiation is an energy type in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles. Ionizing radiation as a diagnostic tool in medical fields leading to different health hazards to radiology health team. Aim of the Study: To assess the ionizing radiation hazards among Radiology Health Team. Subject and Methods: A descriptive research design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted in radiology departments in 4 urban hospitals at Fayoum city: (surgical Fayoum university hospital, medical Fayoum university hospital, Fayoum Health Insurance hospital, Fayoum General Hospital). Sample: A purposive sample of all available radiology health team who are working with X-Ray devices in the selected settings. The total sample reached 150 of radiology health team. Tools: Three tools were used; 1st tool Ionizing Radiation Hazards Structured Questionnaire which included:1- socio-demographic characteristics,2- Radiology health team’ medical history,3- Radiology health team’ knowledge regarding ionizing radiation. 2nd tool Observational checklist of the ionizing radiation protection practices among radiology health team. 3rd tool Observational checklist of Environmental safety. Results: the studied sample ' age ranged between 20 and 55 years old, with mean 34.04 ± 8.83 years. 40.7% of the studied sample were aged between 30 and 39 years old, with slightly more male 62.0%. job title, 43.3% were radiology technician, radiologist 23.4%, nurse 33.3 and had 6 to 10 years of experience 30.7%. Hazards exposure 53.5% of the studied sample reported physics hazards followed by biological and physical hazards 39.3% then chemical hazards 22.0%. 52.0% of the studied sample had satisfactory knowledge regarding ionizing radiation and 48.0% of them had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding ionizing radiation. 68.0% in the study sample had inadequate practicing regarding ionizing radiation protection and 32.0% of them had adequate practicing regarding ionizing radiation protection. Results portrays that the environmental safety was adequate in only Fayoum insurance hospital 25.6% compared with other studied hospitals Conclusion: There was negative correlation between knowledge and health problems. knowledge had positive correlations with practices, also work hazards and health problems Recommendation: Educational programs about ionizing radiation hazards and protection practices should be provided obligatory to all radiology health team prior to work.

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