38 N . A . Alomairy : Radioprotection 2024 , 59 ( 1 ), 36 – 41
Table 1 . Demographic characteristics of participants and their respective knowledge and attitude scores towards radiation protection .
Characteristic |
N = 160 |
Knowledge score |
|
|
( mean ± SD ) |
|
p value |
Attitude score ( mean ± SD ) |
p value |
Sex |
|
|
|
|
|
Male |
15 ( 9.4 %) |
2.5 ± 0.8 |
0.227 |
2.9 ± 0.7 |
0.303 |
Female |
145 ( 91 %) |
3.0 ± 1.4 |
|
3.1 ± 0.9 |
|
Age groups ( years ) 21 – 25 |
16 ( 10 %) |
2.94 ± 1.48 |
|
2.69 ± 0.95 |
|
|
26 – 30
31 – 35
|
53 ( 33 %)
61 ( 38 %)
|
3.26 ± 1.3
2.64 ± 1.33
|
0.081 |
3.25 ± 0.81
3.08 ± 0.99
|
0.21 |
36 and above |
30 ( 19 %) |
3 ± 1.49 |
|
3.1 ± 0.92 |
|
Education |
|
|
|
|
|
Diploma |
80 ( 50 %) |
2.7 ± 1.3 |
0.044 |
3.1 ± 1.0 |
0.607 |
Bachelor |
80 ( 50 %) |
3.2 ± 1.4 |
|
3.1 ± 0.9 |
|
Years of experience 1 – 5 |
62 ( 39 %) |
3.13 ± 1.49 |
|
2.95 ± 1.03 |
|
|
6 – 10
11 – 15
|
53 ( 33 %)
35 ( 22 %)
|
2.6 ± 1.17
3.06 ± 1.35
|
0.27 |
3.23 ± 0.78
3.2 ± 0.83
|
0.6 |
16 and above |
10 ( 6.2 %) |
3.2 ± 1.69 |
|
3 ± 1.15 |
|
|
Training in radiation protection Yes
No
|
10 ( 6.2 %)
150 ( 93.8 %)
|
3.7 ± 1.6
2.9 ± 1.4
|
0.073 |
3.4 ± 0.7
3.1 ± 0.9
|
0.288 |
Overall |
|
2.9 ± 1.4 |
|
3.1 ± 0.9 |
|
Table 2 . Nurses ’ knowledge and perceptions of radiation protection .
Items |
Yes |
No |
I do not know |
Radiation can cause harmful effects |
151 ( 94.4 %) |
0 |
9 ( 5.6 %) |
X-rays used in medical imaging can cause more harm than benefit |
67 ( 41.9 %) |
59 ( 36.9 %) |
34 ( 21.3 %) |
Radiation that is used in ward and theatre ( i . e ., outside the radiology departments ) |
62 ( 38.8 %) |
38 ( 23.8 %) |
60 ( 37.5 %) |
are more dangerous than those in the radiology department |
|
|
|
Radiation is used for boosting the immune system |
19 ( 11.9 %) |
99 ( 61.9 %) |
42 ( 26.2 %) |
Generally , we receive radiation in our everyday life |
81 ( 50.6 %) |
58 ( 36.2 %) |
21 ( 13.1 %) |
The lifespan of radiology workers is less compared to other health workers |
51 ( 31.9 %) |
49 ( 30.6 %) |
60 ( 37.5 %) |
Objects in the room emit radiation after an X-ray exposure |
40 ( 25 %) |
47 ( 29.4 %) |
73 ( 45.6 %) |
while those with 6 – 10 years of experience had the highest attitude score ( 3.23 ± 0.78 ). Lastly , participants who had training in radiation protection scored higher in both knowledge ( 3.7 ± 1.6 ) and attitude ( 3.4 ± 0.7 ) compared to those who did not have . However , except for differences linked to education level , none of these differences are statistically significant .
Table 2 presents the knowledge of nurses regarding radiation protection . A high percentage of nurses ( 151 out of 160 , 94.4 %) were aware that radiation can cause harmful effects . However , only 67 ( 41.9 %) believed that X-rays used in medical imaging can cause more harm than benefit , and 62 ( 38.8 %) thought that radiation used in wards and theaters ( i . e ., outside the radiology departments ) are more dangerous than those in the radiology department . Only 19 nurses ( 11.9 %) believed that radiation is used for boosting the immune system , while 81 ( 50.6 %) were aware that we generally receive radiation in our everyday life . The belief that the lifespan of radiology workers is less compared to other health workers was held by 51 nurses ( 31.9 %). Lastly , only 40 nurses ( 25 %) believed that objects in the room emit radiation after an X-ray exposure . It ’ s important to note that for some items , a significant proportion of nurses responded with “ I don ’ t know ” ( ranging from 21 to 73 responses ), indicating areas where further education may be beneficial .
Table 3 presents the responses of participants to questions about their practices related to radiation protection . A high percentage of participants ( 144 out of 160 , 90 %) reported that they stay away from patients during exposure . Similarly , 140 participants ( 87.5 %) reported using a lead apron during radiographic exposure . When asked about reading the safety radiation policy , 133 participants ( 70.6 %) responded affirmatively . However , only 99 participants ( 61.9 %) reported that they come to the immediate vicinity after X-ray exposure .