Evaluation of nurses’ awareness of radiation safety principles in portable radiography in Kosar Hospital’s ICUs, Semnan, Iran

With due attention to increasing use of X-ray imaging techniques, raising the level of knowledge of employees in this regard can play an important role in reducing the frequency of genetic abnormalities and carcinogenesis caused by radiation in the community. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of awareness of nurses in intensive care units from radiation protection during portable radiography. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 92 nurses working in intensive care units were evaluated. Data were collected by a two-part questionnaire including 4 questions about demographic information (age, sex, background and education) and 11 questions regarding radiation protection. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 21 using t-test, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The significance level was less than 0.05 of participants, 38.9% had poor knowledge (score less than 5), 56.9% had moderate knowledge (score of 5 to 7) and 4.2% had good knowledge (score of 8 and more). The difference of mean score in male and female and between nurses with different educational levels was not significant (P=0.470 and 0.683, respectively). The mean score in personnel with different work history and age did not show significant difference (P=0.098 and 0.222, respectively). The level of knowledge from radiation protection was moderate and weak in our study. It seems that the provision of in-person training as well as educational brochures in shorter intervals have a good effect on personnel knowledge from radiation protection.