Assessment of Knowledge of Occupational Health Hazards and Safety Practices among Radiographers in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Radiographers render various radiological services to patients and clients. However, while they attend to patients, they are exposed to hazards that could be detrimental to their health and safety. In order to minimize exposure to these hazards and prevent their detrimental effects on radiographers, research documents on knowledge and safety practices among these workers must be available for reference. However, to date there is virtually no study that have investigated the knowledge and safety practices adopted by radiographers in Ghana during work to ensure welfare. Aim: The study therefore aimed at assessing the knowledge of radiographers about occupational health hazards and safety practices in radiography. Method: A cross-sectional study approach was adopted in this study. A total of 100 participants were recruited (90% response rate) from various radiology facilities across Greater Accra region. Convenient sampling was used to select three governments and three private owned facilities to observe their safety practices. Questionnaires were administered to obtain data on the study. Results: From the study, radiographers had good knowledge about occupational health hazards (Score=43, SD=0.4). Generally, radiographers had low potential exposure to Ionizing Radiation (37; 41.1%), processing chemicals (24; 26.7%), patient body fluids (41; 45.6%) and stress due to work overload (25; 27.8%). In as much as radiographers were aware and practiced some safety practices, they fell short of safety practices that involved the input of facility owners and/or regulatory bodies. For instance, 88.9% of the participants agreed they assumed correct posture during work procedures however, close to half (42; 46.7%) of the participants never had safety training in their facilities and over two-thirds of the participants‘ monitoring dosimeter had not been read and recalibrated for more than 3 months as part of their safety practices. More than two- thirds (67; 74.4%) of them did not have safety protocols for reporting hazard incidents at their radiologic facility. There was significant relationship between gender, complete immunization of hepatitis B and tetanus, last time of training and lack of sleep due to shift schedule and knowledge of occupational health hazards and safety practices. Conclusion: Overall, radiographers had good knowledge about occupational health hazards. Radiographers were generally exposed to ionizing radiation (IR), processing chemicals, patient body fluids and stress due to work overload. In as much as radiographers were aware and practiced some safety practices, they fell short of safety practices that involved the input of facility owners and/or regulatory bodies such as complete immunization of hepatitis B and tetanus, safety training and unfavourable work shifts. Finally, significant proportion of female participants had higher knowledge in occupational health hazards and safety practices compared to the male participants.

Description

MPH.

Keywords

Occupational Health, Radiographers, Hazards, Safety Practices

Citation

Endorsement

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