Assessment of the Knowledge and Practice of Radiation Safety Among Health Care Professionals in Operating Theatres at the Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Background: Ionizing radiation is routinely used in the operating theatres both diagnostically and for some therapeutic procedures. However, exposure to ionizing radiation can pose significant health and safety risks to the healthcare workers who are involved in these procedures. Therefore, it is essential to assess the knowledge and radiation safety protocol adherence among the healthcare personnel in the operating theatres and identify the factors that influence them. Objective: The broad objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of radiation safety among healthcare workers in the operating theatres at KNH. Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional design to collect data from 151 healthcare workers in the operating theatres for general surgery, urology, neurosurgery, and orthopaedic surgery theatres at KNH and limited to physicians, surgeons. anaesthesiologists, registrars, diploma anaesthetists, nurses, anaesthesia assistants and radiographers who are involved in procedures that use ionizing radiation. The sample was selected using convenience sampling based on the theatres and the occupation of the healthcare workers. The data collection tool was a self-administered questionnaire that consisted of two sections: demographic information and questions on knowledge and adherence to radiation safety. The questionnaire was adapted from previous studies on radiation safety. Blooms criteria was used to categorize them where scores ≥80% were considered to have adequate knowledge. Practice on the radiation safety measures was assessed

on the three components with those using available PPEs monitoring devices, ensuring a minimum of 1 -2 m distance from radiation source and those who used collimation were considered to have good practice to radiation safety measures. Data analysis: The analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software version 29. The descriptive statistic included percentages and frequencies and means with standard deviations. The inferential statistics included Chi-square tests of independence was used to examine the relationships among the variables. The results of the data analysis were presented using tables, graphs, and charts. Results: Seventy-three (48.3%) of the respondents were aged between 25 and 34 years, 62(41.1%) were aged between 35 and 44 years. Thus, the findings established that 19(12.6%) of the respondents had adequate level of knowledge while 132(87.4%) had inadequate level of knowledge. Cadre was significantly associated with adequacy of knowledge on radiation safety measures, with radiographers having the highest level of knowledge (p<0.001). The level of knowledge was significantly higher among those who had received any form training in radiation safety in the previous 12 months (p<0.001) and those who participate in procedures that use C-arm/ionizing radiation more frequently (p = 0.005). The findings showed that 17(11.3%) had good practice to radiation safety measures while 134(88.7%) were non-adherent to radiation safety measures. Cadre (p<0.001), theatre department of work (p=0.007), receiving training on radiation safety (p<0.001) and level of knowledge (p<0.001) were associated with good practice on radiation safety measures.

Conclusion and recommendations: These findings have revealed a very low level of knowledge and poor practice in radiological safety. To improve adherence, it is recommended that healthcare institutions implement comprehensive training programs and continuous professional development tailored to various cadres and departments