KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF RADIATION EXPOSURE AND SAFETY PRACTICES AMONG PATIENTS UNDERGOING MEDICAL IMAGING IN SELECTED HOSPITALS IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and awareness of radiation exposure and it’s safety practices among patients undergoing medical imaging in selected hospitals in Edo State. The study employed a Non experimental survey research design. The target population for this study consisted of 427 patients with a minimum sample size of 228patients (calculated usingTaro Yamane formular) which comprises of both outpatients and inpatient who are currently undergoing medical imaging in radiology department at University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Central Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Edo State. The researcher used convenient sampling technique in selecting the respondents into the study. A self-designed simple questionnaire was used to elicit data. The questionnaire was made up of four sections (A, B, C and D). Section A was made up of patients Bio-data while the other sections comprised of Simple structured questions used to elicit information on the knowledge and awareness of radiation exposure and safety practice among patients undergoing medical imaging in selected hospitals in Edo State. The data was presented using tables and were analyzed using simple percentages, while the research hypotheses were tested using Chi-square test of association. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. The procedure was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 for windows. The result shows that majority of the respondents are in or have had their tertiary education and they have an average knowledge of what radiation exposure is, a reduce knowledge of radiation safety practices and average awareness level on the side effects of radiation exposure. Thus, the study recommends intensive health education for patients and relatives on the safety practices and how to overcome their various side effects associated with radiation exposure. This was a study that added to the body of knowledge on radiation exposure and safety practice in this part of Nigeria and helps to know the status of the health risk on patients undergoing medical imaging.

Keywords: Awareness, Knowledge, Patient, Radiation exposure, Safety practice,