بررسی سطح آگاهی، نگرش و عملکرد پرتوکاران رادیولوژی استان یزد در مورد حفاظت پرتویی

Background: Radiology tests are used to diagnose a variety of diseases. Performing such examinations has potential risks for patients and radiographers working in radiology departments. These risks can be minimized by compliance with safety practices. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of radiographers working in the radiology departments of Yazd about the new guidelines on radiation protection. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study was done using a 38 item questionnaire among all of 112 radiographers working in the radiology departments of Yazd Province. The data of completed questionnaire was analyzed by non-parametric tests and Spearman correlation coefficient using SPSS software. Results: Participation rate for radiographers was 69.6%. The average and standard deviation scores of knowledge, attitude and practice in the field of radiation protection were 46.50±15.30, 78.33±12.53, and 45.90±16.78, respectively. There was a significant inverse relationship between age and experience (years of practice) and knowledge of radiographers (P<0.05). There was also a significant relationship between education and knowledge of radiographers. Conclusion: Results of this research showed that the amount of knowledge of radiographers in the field of radiation protection was decreased with increasing age and experience. Also, depending on the degree of their knowledge, there was a statistically significant difference in awareness. For solving this problem, the retraining courses contain new guidelines relating to radiation protection should be conducted.