TITLE:
Knowledge and Attitude towards Ionizing Radiation among Patients Attending the King Khalid Hospital Najran, Saudi Arabia
AUTHORS:
Mana Goblan Almatared, Ali Mohammed Almansour, Abdulrazak Eissa Alquidaihi, Hakeem Olatunde Agbaje, Ali Saleh Almutared
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge, Attitude, Ionizing, Radiation
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.5 No.10,
October
30,
2017
ABSTRACT: Background/Aims: The aim
of this study was to evaluate and assess the knowledge and attitude to dose and
associated risks caused by Ionizing Radiation (IR) procedures among patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 375 consecutive
patients, conducted over a period of 4 months from at the radiology unit of King Khalid Hospital in
Najran for IR procedures using self-administered questionnaires that was
developed and distributed with consents and instructions to the participants. Results: About
three-quarter (60%) of the patients reported not being worried to undergo
radiological tests. The same proportion of the patients also would not have
radiological tests if they can tolerate the disease. About half (50%) of the
respondents stated that they would not be satisfied if no further radiological
tests were required and 52% did not think that radiological procedures can cause hazards and side effects to the body. Also, over half (53%) of the patients reported not
knowing that radiological tests can cause cancer; 48% would not repeat the
radiological tests within six months; and about 69% did not know the importance
of Radiology for diagnosis. Conclusion: There is relatively low
knowledge and awareness of the risks associated with Ionizing Radiation among
patients in the study population. Therefore, there is a need for educating the
public and not only medical personnel, about radiation exposure and associated
risks.