Radiation dose awareness of radiologic technologists in major Jordanian hospitals

Abstract

Background: Radiology staff needs to justify the radiation exposures in order to protect themselves and others from radiation risks. The aims of this study were to examine the awareness level of radiation dose and protection amongst radiographers and to compare their performance between major Jordanian hospitals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 4 major Jordanian hospitals. A total of 85 radiographers agreed to participate in the study. The questionnaire included demographic information, general radiation protection, radiation dose estimation and radiation induced cancer risk sections. Results: The average total score of radiographers in all hospitals was less than 50%. The lowest score was for radiation induced cancer questions section (34%). There was no significant difference in the level of awareness between radiographers from different hospitals except for the radiation dose awareness section (p= 0.001). Experience and training courses did not correlate significantly with the total score or with the score of individual sections. Conclusion: The level of radiaion dose and protecion awareness amongst radiographers in the sampled Jordanian hospitals is inadequate. At this stage, establishing an annual assessment of the radiographer's awareness through the Jordanian naional radiaion agency is highly encouraged.