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Comparative Analysis of Radiation Protection Measures Used in Both Government and Private Radio-diagnostics Facilities in Port Harcourt Metropolis
Subject area: Biological & Medical Sciences · Area of research: Radiation Safety and Protection
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1720105
Abstract
Background: Radiographers, as healthcare workers bears the brunt of all the workplace hazards and as well faced with the most significant impact of occupational hazard due to the risk of poor and inadequate diagnostic machines, and poor knowledge regarding infection prevention measures. This study assessed and compared radiation protection measures in selected government and private radio-diagnostic facilities in Port Harcourt Metropolis. The study evaluated the availability of radiation protective equipment, compliance with radiation safety standards, and radiation dose levels in the selected facilities. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional research design was adopted using structured questionnaires and direct radiation measurements obtained with a survey meter. A total of 24 respondents participated in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: The findings revealed that radiation protective equipment was generally available in both government and private facilities. Lead aprons were the most available protective devices, while thyroid shields were the least available, with only two recorded across all facilities. The mean availability score for radiation protective equipment was 1.60 ± 0.43 in government facilities and 1.63 ± 0.40 in private facilities. The mean radiation protection practice score was 3.62 ± 0.58 for government facilities and 3.60 ± 0.55 for private facilities. Independent sample t-test showed no statistically significant difference between government and private facilities in radiation protection practices (t = 0.03, p > 0.05), availability of equipment (t = 0.17, p > 0.05), and compliance with safety standards (t = 1.63, p > 0.05). However, one-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference among the selected facilities (F = 256.96, p < 0.05. Conclusion: The study concludes that radiation protection measures were generally implemented in both facility types. However, improvements in equipment availability, monitoring, maintenance, and staff training are required to further enhance radiation safety practices.
Keywords
Equipment, Radiation Protection, Shielding
How to cite this paper
@article{1720105,
author = {Oluchi Ogba Okpoto, Dr. Michael Promise Ogolodom, M. A. Briggs Kamara, Egop Brownson Egop},
title = {Comparative Analysis of Radiation Protection Measures Used in Both Government and Private Radio-diagnostics Facilities in Port Harcourt Metropolis},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {3630-3641},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1720105.pdf},
abstract = {Background: Radiographers, as healthcare workers bears the brunt of all the workplace hazards and as well faced with the most significant impact of occupational hazard due to the risk of poor and inadequate diagnostic machines, and poor knowledge regarding infection prevention measures. This study assessed and compared radiation protection measures in selected government and private radio-diagnostic facilities in Port Harcourt Metropolis. The study evaluated the availability of radiation protective equipment, compliance with radiation safety standards, and radiation dose levels in the selected facilities. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional research design was adopted using structured questionnaires and direct radiation measurements obtained with a survey meter. A total of 24 respondents participated in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: The findings revealed that radiation protective equipment was generally available in both government and private facilities. Lead aprons were the most available protective devices, while thyroid shields were the least available, with only two recorded across all facilities. The mean availability score for radiation protective equipment was 1.60 ± 0.43 in government facilities and 1.63 ± 0.40 in private facilities. The mean radiation protection practice score was 3.62 ± 0.58 for government facilities and 3.60 ± 0.55 for private facilities. Independent sample t-test showed no statistically significant difference between government and private facilities in radiation protection practices (t = 0.03, p > 0.05), availability of equipment (t = 0.17, p > 0.05), and compliance with safety standards (t = 1.63, p > 0.05). However, one-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference among the selected facilities (F = 256.96, p < 0.05. Conclusion: The study concludes that radiation protection measures were generally implemented in both facility types. However, improvements in equipment availability, monitoring, maintenance, and staff training are required to further enhance radiation safety practices.},
keywords = {Equipment, Radiation Protection, Shielding},
month = {July},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1720105}
}