THE PRACTICE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RADIATION MONITORING OF RADIOGRAPHERS IN TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA: A REASSESSMENT

Abstract

Background: Radiation monitoring is an essential radiation safety practice that helps to determine the cumulative radiation dose absorbed by radiographers, ensuring that it does not exceed permissible limits. Failure in practice and implementation of radiation monitoring exposes radiographers to stochastic effects of radiation exposure, increasing the hazard radiation workers are exposed to. Objective: To reassess the practice and implementation of radiation monitoring of radiographers working in south-eastern tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 102 radiographers from 5 selected South-Eastern tertiary hospitals. Proportional stratified random sampling was used to select the radiographers from each tertiary hospital while a semi-structured questionnaire in line with the specific objectives was used as the method for data collection. Information obtained from the respondents was related to established radiation monitoring requirements and tables were used for data presentation. Results: With a perfect response rate from the 102 respondents, personnel radiation monitoring was available to only 31% (n = 32) of the respondents with 59% (n = 19) using Thermoluminiscent dosimeters. Even though a majority (71.9%, n=23) wore their dosimeters daily, only half (50%, n = 16) of those monitored had routine device retrieval and feedback of reading at the appropriate time. Employees did not demand radiation monitoring history from the radiographers before employment and only 10% (n = 3) of those monitored claimed they had dosimetry records. Lastly, only 6.3% (n = 2) of radiographers have been on leave as a direct result of over-exposure to radiation. Conclusion: Personnel radiation monitoring practices of radiographers in South-Eastern tertiary hospitals still remain below internationally acceptable standards. Comparing the findings of this study with a similar study carried out 10 years ago, there has been little improvement in the radiation monitoring of radiographers. The management of tertiary health institutions should ensure that personnel monitoring devices are made available to radiographers, and stricter rules should be placed on the daily wearing of dosimeters.