Radioprotection 60-3 | Page 45

I. Harbaj et al.: Radioprotection 2025, 60( 3), 242 – 249 245
Table 2. Participants’ mean scores on knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning the justification of radiological examinations. Variables Mean ± SD Min – Max Range
Knowledge about the justification of radiological examinations Attitudes toward the justification of radiological examinations Practices in justifying radiological examinations
6.41 ± 1.36 4.00 – 9.00 1 – 12
3.79 ± 0.42 2.50 – 4.67 1 – 5 3.38 ± 0.42 2.33 – 4.50 1 – 5
Table 3. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices in justifying radiological examinations according to participants’ general characteristics Characteristics Knowledge Attitude Practices
M ± SD
t / F
p
M ± SD
t / F
p
M ± SD
t / F
p
Gender
Female
6.50 ± 1.41
1.12
0.263
3.85 ± 0.44
2.39
0.017
3.46 ± 0.45
2.91
0.004
Male
6.34 ± 1.32
3.75 ± 0.41
3.33 ± 0.40
Age group
˂ 30 years
5.17 ± 0.98
151.09
0.000
3.55 ± 0.35
37,47
0.000
3.17 ± 0.30
41.64
0.000
30 – 39 years
6.19 ± 0.85
3. 74 ± 0.40
3.29 ± 0.37
40 – 49 years
7.58 ± 0.92
4.09 ± 0.35
3.65 ± 0.45
≥ 50 years
8.06 ± 0.89
3. 99 ± 0.38
3.77 ± 0.33
Work Experience in years
< 5
5.32 ± 0.92
128.67
0.000
3. 56 ± 0.36
30.49
0.000
3.16 ± 0.31
28.63
0.000
5 – 9
6.34 ± 0.82
3,80 ± 0,40
3.38 ± 0.36
10 – 14
7.20 ± 0.72
3,99 ± 0.40
3.54 ± 0.47
15 – 19
7.67 ± 0.97
4.10 ± 0.31
3.63 ± 0.46
≥ 20
8.14 ± 0,89
4.03 ± 0.36
3.74 ± 0.36
Workplace
Public hospital
6.47 ± 1.30
6.911
0.001
3.77 ± 0.44
7.61
0.001
3.37 ± 0.41
4.64
0.010
Private clinic
5.78 ± 1.25
3.65 ± 0.40
3.25 ± 0.38
Private practice
6.59 ± 1.42
3.90 ± 0.40
3.46 ± 0.46
Radiation protection training
Yes
6.29 ± 1.36
�7.593
0.000
3.78 ± 0.43
– 2.74
0.008
3.37 ± 0.43
– 2.54
0.011
No
7.43 ± 0.81
3.94 ± 0.33
3.55 ± 0.42
3.3 Variations in knowledge, attitudes, and practices in justifying radiological examinations based on participants’ socio-demographic characteristics
Table 3 shows the survey results for knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the justification of radiological tests depending on general practitioner characteristics. Gender analysis indicated significant differences in attitudes( t = 2.39, p = 0.017) and practices( t = 2.91, p = 0.004), with women performing better. However, the analysis did not reveal a statistically significant difference in knowledge( F = 1.12, p = 0.263). Older doctors and those with over ten years of experience scored significantly higher in all three areas( p < 0.001). In terms of their workplace, doctors in public hospitals or private practices scored better in knowledge( F = 6.911, p = 0.001), whereas doctors in private practices scored higher in attitudes( F = 7.61, p = 0.001) and practices( F = 4.64, p = 0.10). Doctors who did not receive radiation protection training scored considerably higher in all three areas( p < 0.001 for knowledge; p < 0.01 for attitudes and practices).
3.4 Correlation between knowledge, attitudes and practices related to the justification of radiological examinations
The correlations between knowledge of the justification of radiological examinations, attitudes towards this rationale, and associated practices were analyzed. As shown in Table 4, knowledge of radiological examination justifications exhibited a statistically significant positive correlation with attitudes toward this subject( r = 0.566, p < 0.001). Moreover, this knowledge is also significantly correlated with justification practices( r = 0.547, p < 0.001). Furthermore, attitudes towards justification reveal a significant association with practices( r = 0.517, p < 0.001).
3.5 Factors influencing practices for justifying radiological examinations
A multiple regression analysis was employed to determine the factors that impact general practitioners’ practices regarding the justification of radiological exams. The