Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness of Radiation Hazards and Protection among Patient's Relative in Southeast, Nigeria

Introduction: Significant level of exposure of patient's relatives to ionising radiation during medical imaging procedures has been observed and no attention has been paid to the knowledge of radiation hazards of patient's relatives that follow the patient for a procedure. Aim: To assess the knowledge and awareness of radiation hazards and protection among patient's relatives in Southeast, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a questionnaire hospital-based survey, which was conducted in two teaching hospitals, and one national hospital in Southeast Nigeria from January 2019 to June 2019. A 21 items semi-structured questionnaire were administered to 376 patient' relatives selected purposively based on the inclusion criteria using one-on-one method. Information on demographic variables of the respondents, knowledge of ionising radiation effect, radiation protection and source of their knowledge of ionising radiation were collected. The obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results:Majority of the participants were females 221 (58.78%). Most of the participants, 263 (69.95%) did not have knowledge of ionising radiation. Only 118 (31.38%) knew that ionising radiation is hazardous to health. Greater number of the participants 289 (76.86%) were informed by the radiographers about the effects of ionising radiation while 87 (23.14%) read about it. Larger number of the participants, 325 (86.44%) had no idea about the meaning of radiation protection. Majority of the participants 287 (76.33) assisted their relatives during the examination. Most of the participants, 269 (71.54%) said they have seen the radiation warning sign before. Conclusion: This study revealed poor level of knowledge and awareness of radiation hazards and protection among patient's relatives. It is obvious that public education will contribute immensely in the promotion of awareness of the harmful effect of ionising radiation and radiation protection measures.