Knowledge about Radiation Related Health Hazards and Protective Measures among Patients Waiting for Radiologic Imaging in Jimma University Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Radiologic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using ionizing radiation carry potential health risks. Hence, clients' knowledge about radiation would play a key role in reducing unnecessary imaging and its impacts. However, information on client's knowledge in low income countries specifically in the Ethiopian context has been was limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess knowledge about radiation related hazards and protective measures among patients waiting for radiologic imaging. METHODS: Descriptive cross sectional study design was employed on 388 patients waiting for radiologic imaging in Jimma University Hospital from Dec.25/2014 to Jan. 10/2015. Eligible participants were interviewed using pretested questionnaire. Data were entered and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21. A descriptive analysis was conducted to get summary values of clients' radiation related knowledge. RESULTS: A total of 386 clients were included to the analysis.Two hundred and three (52.6%) participants had ever heard radiation related health hazards. Among these, 74.9% mentioned infertility, 64.0% indicated cancer followed by 26.6% who mentioned cataract as radiation related health hazards. A large number of clients (75.6%) had no idea about radiation protective measures, whereas 22% of them mentioned not entering examination room unless ordered by health professionals and 10.6% indicated covering sensitive body parts with lead (pb). The majority (85.8%) of the clients did not support unjustified repeated radiation imaging for diagnostic or other purposes. CONCLUSION: The overall knowledge of clients about radiation imaging seems inadequate. Thus, comprehensive awareness raising programmes targeted at different settinsg and levels should be designed and implemented.