Radiation Doses to Patients Undergoing Common X-ray Examinations from Selected hospitals in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, Tanzania

Abstract

This study involved 300 patients, comprising 113 females and 187 males, from six X-ray units. The study focused on evaluating the patient dose for common X-ray examinations at selected hospitals in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, Tanzania. The achieved results were compared with previous studies and Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs). Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) was calculated for chest posteroanterior (PA), cervical spine anteroposterior/lateral (AP/Lat), abdomen anteroposterior (AP), and lumbar spine anteroposterior/lateral (AP/LAT) examinations. The study results revealed the following average ESAK values: chest posteroanterior (PA), 0.34 mGy; abdomen anteroposterior (AP), 1.92 mGy; lumbar spine anteroposterior (AP), 2.78 mGy; and lumbar spine lateral (Lat), 11.8 mGy. When these results were compared to previous published results, there was only a slight deviation among calculated ESAK. A serious deviation was found in chest examinations. The results from this study highlight the importance of optimizing and justifying procedures, as well as the establishment of National Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs). The values described in this study could further contribute to the development of local, regional, and international DRLs

Keywords:    Entrance Surface Dose; Diagnostic Reference level; Diagnostic radiology