Correlation between Knowledge and Performance of Radiation Protection among Operating Room Nurses

Abstract

This study investigated the correlation between knowledge and performance of radia-tion protection among operating room nurses. The research design was a descriptive survey. Data were collected by using a questionnaire from August 24 to September 7, 2015. The participants were 184 operating room nurses. The average score for radiation protection knowledge was 8.68(SD=2.65). The average score for the performance of radiation protection behaviors was 3.16(SD=0.67). There were no significant differences in knowledge of radiation protection according to general and occupational characteris-tics. However, there were significant differences in performance of radiation protection according to gender, age, education, and special health screening. Knowledge and per-formance of radiation protection had a significant positive correlation (r=.23, p<.01). This study concluded that educational programs are needed to improve performance of radiation protection among operating room nurses.