Examination of effects of radiation awareness on protection from radiation via structural equation modeling

Abstract

This study aims to determine the radiation awareness levels and radiation protection information of university students and to model the effects of radiation awareness levels on radiation protection information. For this purpose, a questionnaire both including the demographic features and the scale is applied to 580 university students to obtain the data set. The data set is analyzed by Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). As the results of EFA, while four dimensions for Radiation awareness are determined and they are named; Physics Knowledge, Technical Device Knowledge, Professional Knowledge and Radiation Security Knowledge respectively, Radiation protection knowledge determined in a single dimension. As well as the Physics Knowledge has the greatest effect, Radiation Security Knowledge and Technical Device Knowledge have statistically significant effects on radiation protection information of the students. Improving Physics Knowledge, Radiation Security Knowledge and Technical Device Knowledge via some extra seminars, giving theoretical and applied educations should improve radiation protection information of these students. Even if the results indicate that Professional Knowledge does not have statistically significant effect on radiation protection information, it has an indirect effect. Some improvements about this sub-factor may also improve the radiation protection information. As "entering to radiation areas needs attention" has a direct and significant effect on radiation protection information, the importance of this situation must keep its priority and theoretical and applied educations must be in progress.