RADIATION PROTECTION PRACTICES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MEDICAL RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS WORKING AT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS, IN ADDIS

Abstract

Background: Radiation protection (RP) practice is indispensable in diagnostic radiology to protect human kind from harmful effect of ionizing radiation. In spite of this, there are evidences showing poor RP practices among medical radiologic technologists. Unfortunately, the factors for these practices and suggestions to improve practices were lacking, particularly in Ethiopia. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess radiation protection practices and associated factors among medical radiologic technologists working at public and private hospitals, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024. Methods and materials: a facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 389 Medical radiologic technologists (MRT) in Addis Ababa from August 23 to September 28, 2024. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. The data were collected by Kobo Toolbox using structured self-administered questionnaire. The data entered in to excel and exported to SPSS version 26.0 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model were employed to identify factors associated with radiation protection practice and variables with a P-value ≤ 0.05 at 95% confidence interval were considered as statistically significant. Results: The overall self-reported proportion of good RP practice was found to be 51.2% (95% CI: 46.1, 56.2). Working at private hospital (AOR = 1.89, 95%CI: 1.10, 3.27), experience of 5 to 10 years (AOR = 1.80, 95%CI: 1.02, 3.20) and > 10 years (AOR = 3.20, 95%CI: 1.70, 6.00), having RP guideline available (AOR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.72, 4.98), having quality assurance program (AOR = 1.70, 95%CI: 1.04, 2.79), using personal dosimeter (AOR = 4.46, 95%CI: 1.80, 11.00), favorable attitude (AOR = 2.19, 95%CI: 1.42, 3.71) and safe working environment (AOR = 1.89, 95%CI: 1.16, 3.09), were found to be statistically and positively associated with RP practice. Conclusions and Recommendations: The finding of this study revealed that the overall RP practice among MRTs is considered to be poor. Factors such as work experience, availability of RP guideline, attitude towards RP and type of hospital were significantly associated with RP practices. Ensuring availability of RP guideline and quality assurance programme, recognizing role models, benchmark best practices and conducting regular interval supervision is recommended.