Medical staff who use ionizing radiation at Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center of Casablanca, Morocco: evaluation of radiation protection knowledge

Lamia Hjiyej Andaloussi,Fatima Zahra Hlousse,Hicham Harrass,Hind Aschawa,S Bourekkadi,H Hami,A Mokhtari,A Soulaymani,K Slimani

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202131901046

Lamia Hjiyej Andaloussi, Fatima Zahra Hlousse + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202131901046

Copy DOI

Abstract

Hospital activity of professionals who use ionizing radiation (IR) at work generates risks on their health. Good knowledge of radiation protection (RP) rules can contribute to minimize these risks. This descriptive and analytical study, carried out from March 25 to May 14, 2019 as a survey, focused on knowledge about IR and RP. It was intended for medical and paramedical staff from several departments of Ibn Rochd UHC in Casablanca. Among 135 surveyed workers, 83% with median age of 31 years (21 to 54 years) participated. 65.17% of participants were physicians whose 76% were in training. 47% of respondents had a high global level of knowledge, with mean score of 6.6/10. IR average score (7.8/10) were better than RP average score (6.23/10). The scores varied significantly according to RP education (p<0.002) and home department (p<0.002). RP score was more strongly correlated to RP education (η2=0.32) than to department membership (η2=0.14). Medical staff RP knowledge are insufficient. In order to improve workers’ knowledge on RP, and thereby protect their health, it would be desirable to set up systematic pre-hire training and continuing education programs as well as integrate a radiation safety officer into all departments operating under IR.

Highlights

Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center of Casablanca (UHCC) is a structure that has an important cutting-edge radiological equipment and provides an increased care activity
Medical personnel are exposed to ionizing radiations (IR), they are constrained by professional obligation and they must as far as possible avoid the disadvantages of these exposures for their health
- Level of knowledge : We considered that the level of knowledge is high if the rate of correct responses is greater than 70%, the level is moderate if 50% < rate ≤ 70% and it is low if rate ≤ 50%

Summary

Introduction

Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center of Casablanca (UHCC) is a structure that has an important cutting-edge radiological equipment and provides an increased care activity. Among workers professionally exposed to IR, followed by the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRPNS) until 2014, medical staff represented the most common occupational category that exceeded the recommended annual dose limit for workers, set at 20mSv / year. This dose will not be exceeded if professional properly controls the use of IR. The medical personnel suffer from a significant lack of compliance with radiation protection rules and principles [1]. This situation could result from a lack of knowledge about the necessary means and attitudes to protect medical staff against the harmful effects of IR: Radiation Protection (RP)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion