The purpose of this research was to evaluate radiological safety in pediatric radiology in hospitals in the Kongo Central province of the DRC. To this end, we surveyed a convenience sample of 50 health professionals, ...The purpose of this research was to evaluate radiological safety in pediatric radiology in hospitals in the Kongo Central province of the DRC. To this end, we surveyed a convenience sample of 50 health professionals, including 10 radiologists working in the hospitals covered by the survey, to assess the practice of pediatric radiology and the degree of compliance with radiation protection principles for the safety of children and the environment. We collected radiophysical parameters to calculate entrance doses in pediatric radiology in radiology departments to determine the dosimetric level by comparison with the diagnostic reference levels of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). All in all, we found that in Kongo Central in the DRC, many health personnel surveyed reported that more than 30% of requested radiological examinations are not justified. Also, after comparing the entrance doses produced in the surveyed departments with those of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), a statistically significant difference was found in pediatric radiology between the average doses in five out of six surveyed departments and those of the ICRP. Therefore, almost all of the surveyed departments were found to be highly irradiating in children, while excessive X-ray irradiation in children can have significant effects due to their increased sensitivity to radiation. Among the risks are: increased cancer risks, damage to developing cells, potential genetic effects, and neurological effects. This is why support for implementing radiation protection principles is a necessity to promote the safety of patients and the environment against the harmful effects of X-rays in conventional radiology.展开更多
The purpose of this research was to propose pedagogical and didactic strategies for teaching radiation protection at higher education and university levels, with the aim of optimizing radiological safety in the Democr...The purpose of this research was to propose pedagogical and didactic strategies for teaching radiation protection at higher education and university levels, with the aim of optimizing radiological safety in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This was done after evaluating the implementation of protective measures against the harmful effects of X-rays in conventional radiology in Kinshasa hospitals. To achieve this, we conducted a survey in 23 Kinshasa hospitals with a sample of 400 health professionals, including 100 radiologists, to assess the level of implementation of radiation protection principles in order to propose pedagogical and didactic remediation in initial training where necessary. In addition to interviewing the respondents, we collected radiophysical parameters to evaluate the degree of irradiation in pediatric and adult radiology services in Kinshasa hospitals. After analyzing the data, the following results were recorded: the surveyed health personnel reported that more than 40% of requested radiology examinations are not justified. Eleven services were found to be highly irradiating in pediatrics (48%) and two radiology services in adults (9%). Finally, all surveyed radiologist health personnel in Kinshasa do not know how to evaluate the degree of irradiation in their services. In light of these results, we proposed pedagogical and didactic remediation in radiation protection teaching during initial training to enable future health professionals to demonstrate competencies for optimizing radiological safety.展开更多
文摘The purpose of this research was to evaluate radiological safety in pediatric radiology in hospitals in the Kongo Central province of the DRC. To this end, we surveyed a convenience sample of 50 health professionals, including 10 radiologists working in the hospitals covered by the survey, to assess the practice of pediatric radiology and the degree of compliance with radiation protection principles for the safety of children and the environment. We collected radiophysical parameters to calculate entrance doses in pediatric radiology in radiology departments to determine the dosimetric level by comparison with the diagnostic reference levels of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). All in all, we found that in Kongo Central in the DRC, many health personnel surveyed reported that more than 30% of requested radiological examinations are not justified. Also, after comparing the entrance doses produced in the surveyed departments with those of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), a statistically significant difference was found in pediatric radiology between the average doses in five out of six surveyed departments and those of the ICRP. Therefore, almost all of the surveyed departments were found to be highly irradiating in children, while excessive X-ray irradiation in children can have significant effects due to their increased sensitivity to radiation. Among the risks are: increased cancer risks, damage to developing cells, potential genetic effects, and neurological effects. This is why support for implementing radiation protection principles is a necessity to promote the safety of patients and the environment against the harmful effects of X-rays in conventional radiology.
文摘The purpose of this research was to propose pedagogical and didactic strategies for teaching radiation protection at higher education and university levels, with the aim of optimizing radiological safety in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This was done after evaluating the implementation of protective measures against the harmful effects of X-rays in conventional radiology in Kinshasa hospitals. To achieve this, we conducted a survey in 23 Kinshasa hospitals with a sample of 400 health professionals, including 100 radiologists, to assess the level of implementation of radiation protection principles in order to propose pedagogical and didactic remediation in initial training where necessary. In addition to interviewing the respondents, we collected radiophysical parameters to evaluate the degree of irradiation in pediatric and adult radiology services in Kinshasa hospitals. After analyzing the data, the following results were recorded: the surveyed health personnel reported that more than 40% of requested radiology examinations are not justified. Eleven services were found to be highly irradiating in pediatrics (48%) and two radiology services in adults (9%). Finally, all surveyed radiologist health personnel in Kinshasa do not know how to evaluate the degree of irradiation in their services. In light of these results, we proposed pedagogical and didactic remediation in radiation protection teaching during initial training to enable future health professionals to demonstrate competencies for optimizing radiological safety.
