An assessment of radiation protection practices in radiological facilities in Benin City, Nigeria.

Abstract

Radiation protection practices are essential in ensuring that the detrimental effects of
exposure to ionising radiation are minimised. Equipment quality assurance, personnel
training and staff dose monitoring have been highlighted as important practices in
medical radiation protection. The study was aimed at assessing these practices in
radiological facilities in Benin City. 23 radiographers randomly selected from the
radiological facilities appropriately filled and returned the administeredstructured
questionnaires. Less than a quarter of respondents reported that quality assurance
instructions were adhered to in their facility and only 13% could confirm documentation of such practices. 34.8% of respondents had never attended any professional training since graduation while 47.8% had last attended over a year ago.78.3% of respondents reported that they had been assigned personal radiation monitoring devices, however, more than half had either never been read or had been last read over a year ago. Radiation protection practices appear to be poorly carried out in the assessed facilities. Local radiation protection authorities should do more, in order to limit the hazards that could result from this trend.

KEYWORDS:Radiation Protection, Personnel dose monitoring, Radiological facility.