Knowledge on Ionizing Radiation Associated Hazards and Protective Measures during Medical Imaging among Patients Waiting for Common Radiologic Imaging in Jimma University Specialized Hospital.

Abstract

Radiologic Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using ionizing radiation carries well-known potential health risks. The knowledge of the referring physician and patients on modalities of diagnostic imaging and procedures that use ionizing radiation varies widely. Their knowledge was generally inadequate. Patients’ radiation knowledge strongly influences their acceptance and preference of diagnostic imaging types. Objective: The main objective of the study is to assess knowledge on ionizing radiation associated hazards and protective measures during medical imaging among patients waiting for common radiologic imaging in Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH), Ethiopia. Methods: Hospitals based cross sectional study design were conducted on 388 patients waiting for common radiologic imaging and procedures in JUSH, at radiology department. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from voluntary patients. Data was cleaned, edited and entered to SPSS version 16.Data was expressed as frequency distribution and percentages. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test for association. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 386 voluntary patients were included, of which 225(58.3%) of them were male. Their age range was from 14 years to 85years. In 28.2 % importance of imaging and likely associated harmful effects of radiation were discussed with referring physician. All of imaging unit referral was by the physician. An half of the respondents 193(50%) had back ground information about radiation. The majority of the participants, 356(92.2%) responded that they knew conventional x-ray. Twenty nine (7.5%) patients did not indicate any one of the equipment. Only 203 (52.6%) patients indicated the association health hazard with radiation. Sixty five (16.8%) were incorrect in their assumption that ultrasound examinations uses of ionizing radiation and 32 (8.3%) of them were not aware of ionizing radiation free nature MRI imaging. Majority of the patients 152(39.4%) had indicated infertility followed by cancer, 130 (33.7%) as specific health effect of ionizing radiation. About 122(31.6%) of patients indicate gonads as highly sensitive organ. Ultrasound and MRI indicates as safe modality during pregnancy in 32(8.3%) and 4 (1%) respectively, where as plain abdominal x-ray and CT as safe for pregnant mother in 4(1%) and 5 (1.3%) respectively. More than 95% of the respondents had no idea about background radiation and radiation protection symbol was known only among 15 (3.9%) patients. A large number of patients 292 (75.6%) responded that they had no idea about protective measures while diagnostic imaging. Most of (96.1%) the patients had no idea about the application of radiation rather than for their imaging purpose use. An association of effect the education and information on patients’ knowledge about radiation was revealed. Conclusion This study has shown the inadequacy of patients’ knowledge on possible radiation associated health hazards, radiation protection measures and applications of radiation that is in general agreement with the results of other similar surveys. Thus intervention should be done on the line of improving our patients’ knowledge about radiation issue.