ASSESSMENT OF RADIATION PROTECTION AWARENESS LEVELS IN MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCE TECHNOLOGISTS -A PILOT SURVEY

Objectives: To assess the radiation protection awareness levels of medical radiation technologists working in three major hospitals of Peshawar metropolitan.Material and Methods: The authors developed two questionnaires along with curriculum vitae form for the radiographers and radiation technologists. The questionnaires contained questions pertaining to radiation protection practices, procedures, dose limits and existing national and international standards They were asked to complete the questionnaires and the same were collected back on the spot. Forty one technologists were included in this pilot survey.Results: The educational qualification of the 41 technologists in all the three specialities ranged from secondary school certificate to Master of Arts. The experience duration (mean ± SD) of the sample group professional practice in medical radiation science (MRS) technology was 15 ± 8 years, with duration ranging from 1-32 years. It was observed that the radiation awareness knowledge levels in the sample group varied widely with a range of 35-95% and a median score of 75%. It was observed that educational background and duration of experience in the medical radiation science profession affects the awareness levels.Conclusion: The survey results revealed that there is a strong need for technologists training programme in all the three MRS specialities both at regional and national level. Moreover there is also a need for relevant educational background in science and introduction of personal qualities (PQA) tests for MRS technologists at the time of selection and recruitments.