Occupational Health Hazards and Protective Measures among Radiation Health Team

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 B.Sc. Nursing

2 Prof. of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing- Zagazig University

3 Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University

Abstract

Background: Radiation was a threat to health in work place and in general environment. Aim
of the study was to assess occupational health hazards and protective measures among
radiation health team. Subjects & methods: Research design: Across-sectional descriptive
design was used in this study. Setting: The study was carried out at the Radiotherapy
Department in Zagazig University Hospital, and Radiology Department in El-Ahrar Zagazig
Hospital. Subjects: A purposive sample composed of 70 subjects who worked at the radiation
departments for at least two years. Tools of data collection: Two tools were used in this
study. Tool Ι: A self-administered questionnaire to identify knowledge about radiation
hazards, the effects of occupational health hazards, and protective measures among radiation
health team. Tool ΙI: An observational checklist to describe compliance with personal
protective equipment and safe work practice. Results: The study findings revealed that 20%
of nurses, 60.5% of technicians and 52.9% of physicians had satisfactory knowledge about
radiation hazards. Additionally, the highest percentages of occupational hazards as reported
by participants were physical hazards which constituted (100% among nurses, 93% among
technicians and 88.2% among physicians). The highest percentages of the health problems
related to exposure to radiation at work were found among technicians (95.3%) compared to
70% of nurses and 47.1% of physicians. As well, only 17.6%of physicians and 14% of
technicians wear lead aprons all times. Also, 18.6% of technicians, and 5.9% of physicians
wear monitoring badge. Moreover none of nurses comply with the use of personal protective
equipment. Conclusion: the highest percentages regarding knowledge of radiation hazards
were among technicians. The majority of occupational hazards were physical, followed by
biological and psychological hazards among radiation health team. Minority of the
participants were satisfactory with protective measures. Recommendations: To develop an
educational program regarding radiation hazards and protective measures to all radiation
health team.

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