ASSESSMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY AND USAGE OF RADIATION SAFETY DEVICES IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS

Abstract

Background of study: Ionizing radiation is widely used in medical imaging and therapy, but it poses significant occupational health risks to radiographers if adequate protection measures are not observed. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, radiation exposure should be minimized through established protection principles and the use of appropriate safety devices. The International Commission on Radiological Protection further emphasizes that adherence to the ALARA principle and consistent use of personal protective equipment are essential for safeguarding both healthcare workers and patients. Despite these guidelines, previous studies in similar settings have reported inadequate availability and poor utilization of radiation safety devices. In Sokoto metropolis, there is limited documented evidence on the status of radiation safety practices among radiographers, creating a gap in local data needed for policy formulation and workplace safety improvement. Objectives: To determine the availability of radiation safety devices in Sokoto metropolis and to determine the usage of radiation safety devices among radiographers. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study design was adopted. The study population comprised radiographers working in selected radiology departments within Sokoto metropolis, including Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire that assessed the availability of radiation safety devices and their level of utilization. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis, and results were presented in frequencies and percentages. Results: Among 42 radiographers, most were young males (76.2% male; 52.4% aged 30–39) with less than five years of experience (73.8%) and mainly working in teaching hospitals (57.1%). Basic radiation safety devices like lead aprons, warning signs, and monitoring devices were widely available, but specialized protective equipment—thyroid shields, gonad shields, lead glasses, head and waist shields—were poorly available. Usage of personal protective equipment was generally low, with only 40.5% always wearing lead aprons and minimal use of organ-specific devices, while compliance with passive measures such as control booths and monitoring devices was high. Conclusions: Radiation safety devices are not uniformly available or consistently utilized among radiographers in Sokoto metropolis.