A survey of X-ray diagnostic services in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey was conducted on the technical parameters (exposure factor) used on some X-ray examinations (skull posteroanterior printarticle.asp?issn=0972-0464;year=2019;volume=42;issue=4;spage=159;epage=167;aulast=Eke;type=0, skull anteroposterior [AP], skull lateral [LAT], chest posteroanterior printarticle.asp?issn=0972-0464;year=2019;volume=42;issue=4;spage=159;epage=167;aulast=Eke;type=0, chest lateral [LAT], abdomen anteroposterior [AP], and pelvis anteroposterior [AP]) in six hospitals across the three senatorial zones (Owerri, Orlu, and Okigwe) in Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 100 patients were included in the survey. For each patient, the technical parameters (mAs and kVp) were recorded during the specific medical examination. Patients' information such as age, mass, and height was also taken. The results showed that the kVp mean values obtained were 80.00, 75.00, 75.00, 73.58, 83.36, and 75.08 for skull PA, skull LAT, chest PA, chest LAT, abdomen AP, and pelvis AP examination, respectively, and the mAs mean values obtained were 26.30, 30.00, 31.29, 32.76, 41.46, and 29.00 for skull PA, skull LAT, chest PA, chest LAT, abdomen AP, and pelvis AP examinations, respectively. These values are lower than international standards which imply that the personnel at the X-rays diagnostic center visited are doing fine.