Inventory of Radiation Protection in Hospitals of Level III in Senegal

Boucar Ndong,Omar Ndoye,Gora Mbaye,El Hadji Lamine Bathily,Pape Mady Sy,El Hadji Fallou Diouf,Herbert Fachinan,Mamadou Salif Djigo,Mamadou Mbodji,Maguette Diagne,Louis Auguinstin Diaga Diouf,Sidi Ahmed Dia,Ousseynou Diop,Kanta Ka,Alphonse Djiboune,Gérard Léra Kelvin Akpo

doi:10.4236/ojbiphy.2021.114016

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of protection of employees who are exposed to radiation in a level III hospital establishment. It was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of six months’ duration, involving eight level III Hospitals (Aristide Le Dantec, Fann, Hoggy, Hear, Abass Ndao, Pikine, Touba, and Thies) in Senegal. Sixty-one of the one hundred questionnaires were recovered (overall response rate of 61%). The population of the study was mainly female (54.1%). The average age was 38.57 with extremes ranging from 23 to 65 years old. In the places where ionizing radiation sources are handled, only at the Aristide Le Dantec Hospital did we find a “competent person in radiation protection”. This explained the lack of a classification of employees and work areas. Forty out of sixty-one (73.77%) had no knowledge of the basic principles of radiation protection (justification, optimisation, dose limitation) and had not ever taken radiation holidays. For radiovigilance, exposure time limits to ionizing radiation concerned only 29/61 or 47.54% of the study population. The inverse square law of distance was known by only 40 workers, of whom 15 had no compliance. We found the presence of dosifilms in only 7/61 or 11.47% of the workers. On the other hand, the use of lead aprons was well established and concerned 57/61 workers, i.e., 93.44%. In sum, ionizing radiation causes adverse health effects. The absence of a good radiation protection culture in Senegal requires the presence of at least 4 to 5 competent persons in radiation protection for quality training of workers in radiobiology, radiopathology and radiation protection.

Highlights

Ionizing radiation is widely used in the medical field for diagnoses and therapies
In the places where ionizing radiation sources are handled, only at the Aristide Le Dantec Hospital did we find a “competent person in radiation protection”
In Senegal, level III health structure has the most qualified medical staff and despite everything, this study still shows an embryonic state of radiation protection for workers, even fewer patients subjected to ionizing radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes

Summary

Introduction

Ionizing radiation is widely used in the medical field for diagnoses and therapies. In Senegal, we are witnessing the use of increasingly important equipments, standard X-ray machines, computer tomography and linear particle accelerators [1]. The implementation of radiation protection measures for nearly a century. To avoid unnecessary exposure of patients and workers, three main principles such as justification, optimization and dose limitation have been established by international and national organizations [3]. To respect these principles, radiation protection rules and measures have been defined such as the respect for distance, wearing a lead apron and exposure time.

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Discussion

Conclusion