ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TOWARDS RADIATION HAZARD AT ADAMA HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL COLLEGE, ADAMA, EAST SHOA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Aim: Radiation exposure is becoming one of the ongoing public health problem. Everyone alive in this world is constantly being exposed to ionizing radiation. Although radiological doses are low and the chance of late effect is minimal, it should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. The aim of this research was to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of health care providers’ towards radiation hazards at Adama Hospital and Medical College. Methods:  Institution based cross sectional study was employed.  A total of 159 study subjects participated using stratified sampling technique and then simple random sampling technique was used. Data was collected by using a well-structured self-administered questionnaires and pre-test was performed before the actual data collection that was conducted at Modjo Hospital. The data was first checked manually for completeness and then coded and entered into Epi-info data version 3.1 and then analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: The mean age of participants was 29.8 ± 0.5 years and ranged from 20 - 47 years. Sex wise Health care providers’ (HCP) represented 64.2% and 35.8% Male and female respectively. The mean service year among participants was 4.0503 ± 0.3 years; ranged from 0 – 25 years.  Conclusion: Finally, from 159 respondents 80% of them had inadequate knowledge, 70% of them had unsafe practice with regards to radiation hazards. Therefore, from the above findings the following conclusions and recommendations forwarded: the Federal Ministry of Health, Health sectors and Hospital administrators should work on the knowledge and practice of health care professionals with regards to radiation safety. In service training has to be given on radiation safety.