Knowledge about Radiation Related Health Hazards and Protective Measures among Patients Waiting for Radiologic Imaging in Jimma University Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Radiologic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using ionizing radiation carrypotential health risks. Hence, clients’ knowledge about radiation would play a key role in reducingunnecessary imaging and its impacts. However, information on client’s knowledge in low incomecountries specifically in the Ethiopian context has been was limited. Therefore, the aim of this study wasto assess knowledge about radiation related hazards and protective measures among patients waiting forradiologic imaging.METHODS: Descriptive cross sectional study design was employed on 388 patients waiting forradiologic imaging in Jimma University Hospital from Dec.25/2014 to Jan. 10/2015. Eligible participantswere interviewed using pretested questionnaire. Data were entered and analyzed using IBM SPSSversion 21. A descriptive analysis was conducted to get summary values of clients’ radiation relatedknowledge.RESULTS: A total of 386 clients were included to the analysis.Two hundred and three (52.6%)participants had ever heard radiation related health hazards. Among these, 74.9% mentioned infertility,64.0% indicated cancer followed by 26.6% who mentioned cataract as radiation related health hazards. Alarge number of clients (75.6%) had no idea about radiation protective measures, whereas 22% of themmentioned not entering examination room unless ordered by health professionals and 10.6% indicatedcovering sensitive body parts with lead (pb). The majority (85.8%) of the clients did not supportunjustified repeated radiation imaging for diagnostic or other purposes.CONCLUSION: The overall knowledge of clients about radiation imaging seems inadequate. Thus,comprehensive awareness raising programmes targeted at different settinsg and levels should bedesigned and implemented.