Evaluation of Radiographers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Performance Regarding Gonadal Shielding in Diagnostic Radiology Examinations: Southern Khorasan Province Hospitals of Iran

Hamzian, Nima; Asadian, Saeed; Golestani, Asiye; Zarghani*, Hassan

doi:10.5812/jjhs.115337

Evaluation of Radiographers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Performance Regarding Gonadal Shielding in Diagnostic Radiology Examinations: Southern Khorasan Province Hospitals of Iran

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Nima Hamzian ¹

Saeed Asadian ²

Asiye Golestani ³

Hassan Zarghani* ⁴

¹ Department of MedicalPhysics,School of Medicine, ShahidSadoughiUniversity of MedicalSciences,Yazd,Iran

² Student ResearchCommittee,BirjandUniversity of MedicalSciences,Birjand,Iran

³ FerdowsParamedicalandHealthSchool,BirjandUniversity of MedicalSciences,Birjand,Iran

⁴ Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

10.5812/jjhs.115337

Abstract

Background:
Nowadays, ionizing radiation is increasingly used in medicine. One of the most frequent X-ray examinations is pelvic radiography. Gonads are susceptible in the pelvic area. Gonadal shielding (GS) is a useful method to reduce the received dose by gonads. Despite the benefits of using gonadal shielding, it is rarely used by radiographers.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was carried out in ten governmental hospitals with 300 radiographs.
Results:
The radiographers’ knowledge of using GS had a value equal to 59.1%. However, the radiographers did not have enough information on the subject, although their awareness about the significance of GS was acceptable.
Conclusions:
Although the radiographers believed in the necessity of using GS for pelvic, abdominal, and spine examinations, they used no shields.
Keywords:Radiation Protection,Radiography,Gonadal Shielding,Gonads,Pelvic Radiography

Keywords

Radiation Protection

Radiography

Gonadal Shielding

Gonads

Pelvic Radiography