Awareness of hazards of diagnostic use of radiation during pregnancy among women in Al-Madinah, KSA

Abstract

Imaging of pregnant women presents a unique challenge to radiologists because of the concern about the radiation risk to the conceptus. To assess awareness of radiation hazards during pregnancy among females in Al-Madinah. A cross-sectional survey questionnaire study was conducted on married and non-married adult females who lives in Al-Madinah. This study included 403 female participants; their age ranged from 16-64 years. 128 participants were health field staff. 201 of participants claimed that they experienced an education regarding radiation hazards during pregnancy. 262 participants chose the 1st trimester as the riskiest time to radiation exposure during pregnancy. Ultrasound was the highest choice (268 times) between participants as the safest imaging modality during pregnancy. 61 answered yes there is a safe level of radiation exposure for a pregnant, during pregnancy and 40% of them chose the answer that cardiac catheterization can be done during pregnancy. Efforts should be done to increase the public orientation about the radiation risks and the safest imaging modalities that can be used during pregnancy. Furthermore, efforts should also be directed to increase the orientation of health working-staff with the safe levels of radiation during pregnancy.