Occupational Health Hazards and Protective Measures among Radiation Health Team

Abstract

Background: Radiation was a threat to health in work place and in general environment. Aimof the study was to assess occupational health hazards and protective measures amongradiation health team. Subjects & methods: Research design: Across-sectional descriptivedesign was used in this study. Setting: The study was carried out at the RadiotherapyDepartment in Zagazig University Hospital, and Radiology Department in El-Ahrar ZagazigHospital. Subjects: A purposive sample composed of 70 subjects who worked at the radiationdepartments for at least two years. Tools of data collection: Two tools were used in thisstudy. Tool Ι: A self-administered questionnaire to identify knowledge about radiationhazards, the effects of occupational health hazards, and protective measures among radiationhealth team. Tool ΙI: An observational checklist to describe compliance with personalprotective equipment and safe work practice. Results: The study findings revealed that 20%of nurses, 60.5% of technicians and 52.9% of physicians had satisfactory knowledge aboutradiation hazards. Additionally, the highest percentages of occupational hazards as reportedby participants were physical hazards which constituted (100% among nurses, 93% amongtechnicians and 88.2% among physicians). The highest percentages of the health problemsrelated to exposure to radiation at work were found among technicians (95.3%) compared to70% of nurses and 47.1% of physicians. As well, only 17.6%of physicians and 14% oftechnicians wear lead aprons all times. Also, 18.6% of technicians, and 5.9% of physicianswear monitoring badge. Moreover none of nurses comply with the use of personal protectiveequipment. Conclusion: the highest percentages regarding knowledge of radiation hazardswere among technicians. The majority of occupational hazards were physical, followed bybiological and psychological hazards among radiation health team. Minority of theparticipants were satisfactory with protective measures. Recommendations: To develop aneducational program regarding radiation hazards and protective measures to all radiationhealth team.