Original Research

Medical doctors’ awareness of radiation exposure in diagnostic radiology investigations in a South African academic institution

Akingboye M. Dauda, John O. Ozoh, Olakunle A. Towobola
South African Journal of Radiology | Vol 23, No 1 | a1707 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajr.v23i1.1707 | © 2019 Akingboye M. Dauda, John O. Ozoh, Olakunle A. Towobola | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 14 December 2018 | Published: 30 April 2019

About the author(s)

Akingboye M. Dauda, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Imaging, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
John O. Ozoh, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Imaging, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
Olakunle A. Towobola, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Diagnostic investigations using radiation have become a critical feature of medical practice in recent times. However, the possibility of doctors’ underestimation of risks of over-exposure of patients to diagnostic radiation still warrants further evaluation.

Objectives: To investigate doctors’ awareness of diagnostic radiation exposure at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, South Africa.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, analytical investigation of the awareness of doctors about radiation exposure in diagnostic radiology investigations. A cluster sampling technique was employed to recruit 217 participants. Consent and approval of the participants were sought and obtained before questionnaire administration during departmental meetings between October 2017 and March 2018.

Results: Of the participants, 80% had no formal training on radiation exposure and 33.8% of them correctly estimated natural background radiation. Correct estimates of the effective dose from a single-view abdominal X-ray (AXR) were expressed by 7.5%, quantity of radiation of a single-phase computed tomography (CT) abdomen by 30.3% and dosage from a two-view unilateral mammogram by 29.1% of the participants. More than 75% of participants agreed that children are more sensitive to radiation, but only 10.5% suggested medical termination of pregnancy for a woman who had CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast. Dosage and risk of inducing fatal cancer from common but more complex imaging procedures were poorly understood. Only the doctors of the radiology department showed a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) association with regards to their radiation awareness.

Conclusion: Because of the high rate of poor awareness of radiation risks observed in this study, it is important to initiate, early in the medical curriculum for medical students, the need for a rotation in the Department of Radiology, similar to such rotations in other medical specialties.


Keywords

Awareness; medical doctors; diagnostic radiology; radiation protection; exposure; risk; patient safety; education and training.

Metrics

Total abstract views: 5692
Total article views: 7635

 

Crossref Citations

1. An audit of patient radiation doses in interventional radiology at a South African hospital
Oneile Slave, Nasreen Mahomed
South African Journal of Radiology  vol: 27  issue: 1  year: 2023  
doi: 10.4102/sajr.v27i1.2559

2. Evaluation of Radiation Literacy of Nuclear Medicine Students
Mucize SARIHAN
European Journal of Science and Technology  year: 2022  
doi: 10.31590/ejosat.1114547

3. Radiation exposure of anaesthesia providers in Africa: an occupational exposure study
K Louw, R Naidoo, S Chetty
Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia  vol: 28  issue: 2  first page: 68  year: 2022  
doi: 10.36303/SAJAA.2022.28.2.2673

4. A systematic review of occupational radiation individual dose monitoring among healthcare workers exposed in Africa
Arnaud A Gbetchedji, Gilles D Houndetoungan, Hubert C Hounsossou, Neige Journy, Nadia Haddy, Carole Rubino, Olivier Biaou, Daton Medenou, Kuassi M Amoussou-Guenou, Florent de Vathaire, Rodrigue S Allodji
Journal of Radiological Protection  vol: 40  issue: 4  first page: R141  year: 2020  
doi: 10.1088/1361-6498/aba402

5. Guidelines for Inclusion of Radiation Protection in the Curricula for Undergraduate Medical, Dental, Physiotherapy, and Nursing Students in South Africa
Leonie Munro, Fozy Peer
South African Radiographer  vol: 59  issue: 2  first page: 23  year: 2021  
doi: 10.54450/saradio.2021.59.2.675

6. Radiation Exposure and Lifetime Attributable Risk of Cancer Incidence and Mortality from Low- and Standard-Dose CT Chest: Implications for COVID-19 Pneumonia Subjects
Mandeep Garg, Vahid Karami, Javad Moazen, Thomas Kwee, Ashu Seith Bhalla, Daryoush Shahbazi-Gahrouei, Yu-Hsuan Joni Shao
Diagnostics  vol: 12  issue: 12  first page: 3043  year: 2022  
doi: 10.3390/diagnostics12123043

7. The Extent and Awareness of Medical Staff about the Effects of Radiation on Human Health
Salwa Muftah Eljamay, Adnan A Frag Elgadaime
Derna Academy Journal for Applied Sciences  vol: 3  issue: 1  first page: 57  year: 2025  
doi: 10.71147/akwr7x76

8. Awareness of Radiation Hazards and Knowledge About Radiation Protection Among Medical Students at the Northern Border University, Arar
Pakeeza Shafiq, Yasir Mehmood
Cureus  year: 2024  
doi: 10.7759/cureus.55484

9. South African radiography leadership co-constructing radiation protection change ideas
Ms Shantel Lewis, Prof. Charlene Downing, Dr. Christopher M. Hayre
Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences  vol: 53  issue: 2  first page: 248  year: 2022  
doi: 10.1016/j.jmir.2022.03.007