An empirical analysis of the relationship between understanding, attitudes, and practices toward radiation – Focusing on the population eligible for South Korean National Health Insurance Service Examination

Abstract

Health promotion is expected to grow in South Korea from 2022, owing to rising income levels and living standards. This has led to an increase in the number of medical examinations performed before treatment to prevent disease and therefore, exposure to radiation is increasing. Accordingly, the importance of protection against radiation damage is also increasing. This study surveyed 489 20-year-olds adults and older who underwent medical examinations, using a structured questionnaire, to determine the relationship between their understanding of radiation, and their practices and attitudes toward radiation damage protection. Statistical methods used included descriptive statistics and correlation and regression analyses. There was no statistically significant difference between men and women in terms of their understanding of radiation and their attitudes toward radiation damage protection. However, for radiation damage protection practices, men had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher level of practice than women. Understanding, attitudes, and behavior scores of healthcare practitioners were all significantly higher than those of the other group. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the understanding of radiation, attitudes, and practices of radiation damage protection were all statistically significant, and a statistically significant linear regression relationship was satisfied between the attitudes and practices of radiation damage protection. This study demonstrates the need for radiation education and confirms the theory of planned behavior between attitudes and practices of radiation damage protection. It identifies necessary antecedents to radiation damage protection and the prerequisites for protection against radiation damage.