Ionizing Radiation Hazards and Protection Practices among Radiographers at Cairo University Hospitals
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- Category: Vol. 85, June 2017
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Ionizing Radiation Hazards and Protection Practices among Radiographers at Cairo University Hospitals, RANIA H. MOHAMMED, NAGAH M. ABDOU, SAHAR A. FARAHAT and EMAN M. SEIF
Abstract
Aim of the Study: To assess the ionizing radiation hazards and protection practices among radiographers at Cairo Uni-versity Hospitals.
Subject and Methods: A descriptive research design was utilized.
Setting: The study was conducted in three hospitals affiliated to Cairo University; El Monera, El Manial Specialized and El Manial University Hospitals. The radiology departments in El Monera and El Manial Specialized hospitals will be included, in addition to, radiology room in Emergency De-partment and cardiac cathateralization in Intensive Care Unit in El Manial University Hospital.
Sample: A convenience sample of all available radiogra-phers who are working with X-Ray devices in the selected settings. The total sample reached 90 radiographers.
Tools: Three tools were used; 1st tool Ionizing Radiation Hazards Structured Questionnaire which included reported data related to work and hazards related to working with ionizing radiation. 2nd tool Radiographers Practices Checklist. 3rd tool Environmental Safety Checklist. Data collection took three months (November, 2015 till January, 2016).
Results: Reveals that 31.1% of radiographers were aged 31 to 35 years old with mean 32.9. And 60% had menstrual problems, 40% exposed to abortion between females sample. 31.7%, 8%, 6% and 10% complains from easy fatigue, leuko-penia, thrombocytopenia, anemia respectively and 4.8% of them had cataract, use personal dosimeter by 5.6% radiogra-phers, 6.7% of them wear intact aprons and all selected settings didn’t use radiation warning posters. All of the settings had the X-ray devices installed in the dedicated rooms and 25% of settings had not intact glass window and leaded walls. The result revealed statistically significant differences between not using personal dosimeter, not wearing apron, being in X-ray rooms during imaging and occurrence of leukopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia. With p.value (0.0001*, 0.0001*, 0.0001*, 0.0001*, 0.0001*, 0.0001*, 0.005**, 0.002**, 0.015**, 0 .02*) respectively. Presence of statistically signif-icant relation between easy fatigue of radiographers and broken window in X-ray room with p.value (0.001*). A statistically significant relations between age and occurrence of leukopenia, anemia, Thrombocytopenia and easy fatigue. Statistically significant relation was also found between anemia, easy fatigue and work experience. As well, statistically significant relations was found between daily working hours and easy fatigue. There were statistically significant relations between number of daily cases and menstrual problems, abortion and easy fatigue. With p.value (0.0001*, 0.002*, 0.001*, 0.02*, 0.002*, 0.0001*, 0.0001*, 0.001*) respectively.
Conclusion: The study concluded that, radiographers had various health hazards related to work with ionizing radiation and didn't follow all protection practices against ionizing radiation hazards.
Recommendation: Educational programs about ionizing radiation hazards and protection practices should be obligatory to all radiographers.