Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya

Joyce Mugo; Charles Mburu; Joseph Ngugi Kamau

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11

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Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya

Joyce Mugo^*

, Charles Mburu

, Joseph Ngugi Kamau

Published in Journal of Health and Environmental Research (Volume 11, Issue 1)

Received: 8 January 2025 Accepted: 23 January 2025 Published: 11 February 2025

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Abstract

The widespread use of radioactive equipment in hospitals necessitates adequate knowledge and tools among healthcare workers to prevent and monitor radiation exposure. The study investigated the effectiveness of radiation protection in the detection of exposures among healthcare workers in Nyeri County, Kenya, focusing on radiation exposure levels, level of awareness, and control measures. Using a cross-sectional design, the study targeted 1121 healthcare workers, with a sample of 294. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires and a checklist, generating both quantitative and qualitative data. Dosimeter read-outs were conducted for one month and a radiation safety assessment survey in the Radiology department was also conducted using a radiation detector meter. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that about half of the healthcare workers had not received training on radiation hazards, and less than half were aware of the maximum permissible dose limit for adults. Approximately half of the workers knew that the eyes, thyroid glands, ovaries, and testis are susceptible to radiation hazards. The study recommended comprehensive and regular training programs for all healthcare workers, emphasizing the correct handling of lead aprons and the consistent use of personal protective devices such as lead aprons, lead glasses, portable lead shields, automatic interlock devices, and thyroid shields.

Published in	Journal of Health and Environmental Research (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11
Page(s)	1-10
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Healthcare Workers, Radiology, PPE, Radiation Hazards, Permissible Dose, Radiation Exposure

References

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APA Style

Mugo, J., Mburu, C., Kamau, J. N. (2025). Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya. Journal of Health and Environmental Research, 11(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11

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ACS Style

Mugo, J.; Mburu, C.; Kamau, J. N. Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya. J. Health Environ. Res. 2025, 11(1), 1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11

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AMA Style

Mugo J, Mburu C, Kamau JN. Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya. J Health Environ Res. 2025;11(1):1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11

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@article{10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11,
  author = {Joyce Mugo and Charles Mburu and Joseph Ngugi Kamau},
  title = {Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya},
  journal = {Journal of Health and Environmental Research},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-10},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jher.20251101.11},
  abstract = {The widespread use of radioactive equipment in hospitals necessitates adequate knowledge and tools among healthcare workers to prevent and monitor radiation exposure. The study investigated the effectiveness of radiation protection in the detection of exposures among healthcare workers in Nyeri County, Kenya, focusing on radiation exposure levels, level of awareness, and control measures. Using a cross-sectional design, the study targeted 1121 healthcare workers, with a sample of 294. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires and a checklist, generating both quantitative and qualitative data. Dosimeter read-outs were conducted for one month and a radiation safety assessment survey in the Radiology department was also conducted using a radiation detector meter. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that about half of the healthcare workers had not received training on radiation hazards, and less than half were aware of the maximum permissible dose limit for adults. Approximately half of the workers knew that the eyes, thyroid glands, ovaries, and testis are susceptible to radiation hazards. The study recommended comprehensive and regular training programs for all healthcare workers, emphasizing the correct handling of lead aprons and the consistent use of personal protective devices such as lead aprons, lead glasses, portable lead shields, automatic interlock devices, and thyroid shields.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya
AU  - Joyce Mugo
AU  - Charles Mburu
AU  - Joseph Ngugi Kamau
Y1  - 2025/02/11
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11
T2  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JF  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JO  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
SP  - 1
EP  - 10
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-3592
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11
AB  - The widespread use of radioactive equipment in hospitals necessitates adequate knowledge and tools among healthcare workers to prevent and monitor radiation exposure. The study investigated the effectiveness of radiation protection in the detection of exposures among healthcare workers in Nyeri County, Kenya, focusing on radiation exposure levels, level of awareness, and control measures. Using a cross-sectional design, the study targeted 1121 healthcare workers, with a sample of 294. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires and a checklist, generating both quantitative and qualitative data. Dosimeter read-outs were conducted for one month and a radiation safety assessment survey in the Radiology department was also conducted using a radiation detector meter. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that about half of the healthcare workers had not received training on radiation hazards, and less than half were aware of the maximum permissible dose limit for adults. Approximately half of the workers knew that the eyes, thyroid glands, ovaries, and testis are susceptible to radiation hazards. The study recommended comprehensive and regular training programs for all healthcare workers, emphasizing the correct handling of lead aprons and the consistent use of personal protective devices such as lead aprons, lead glasses, portable lead shields, automatic interlock devices, and thyroid shields.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Joyce Mugo

Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology (IEET), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-0489-9471
Charles Mburu

Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology (IEET), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9738-1131
Joseph Ngugi Kamau

Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology (IEET), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5298-4457

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APA Style

Mugo, J., Mburu, C., Kamau, J. N. (2025). Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya. Journal of Health and Environmental Research, 11(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11

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ACS Style

Mugo, J.; Mburu, C.; Kamau, J. N. Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya. J. Health Environ. Res. 2025, 11(1), 1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11

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AMA Style

Mugo J, Mburu C, Kamau JN. Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya. J Health Environ Res. 2025;11(1):1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11

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@article{10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11,
  author = {Joyce Mugo and Charles Mburu and Joseph Ngugi Kamau},
  title = {Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya},
  journal = {Journal of Health and Environmental Research},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-10},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jher.20251101.11},
  abstract = {The widespread use of radioactive equipment in hospitals necessitates adequate knowledge and tools among healthcare workers to prevent and monitor radiation exposure. The study investigated the effectiveness of radiation protection in the detection of exposures among healthcare workers in Nyeri County, Kenya, focusing on radiation exposure levels, level of awareness, and control measures. Using a cross-sectional design, the study targeted 1121 healthcare workers, with a sample of 294. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires and a checklist, generating both quantitative and qualitative data. Dosimeter read-outs were conducted for one month and a radiation safety assessment survey in the Radiology department was also conducted using a radiation detector meter. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that about half of the healthcare workers had not received training on radiation hazards, and less than half were aware of the maximum permissible dose limit for adults. Approximately half of the workers knew that the eyes, thyroid glands, ovaries, and testis are susceptible to radiation hazards. The study recommended comprehensive and regular training programs for all healthcare workers, emphasizing the correct handling of lead aprons and the consistent use of personal protective devices such as lead aprons, lead glasses, portable lead shields, automatic interlock devices, and thyroid shields.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Radiation Hazard Awareness Among Healthcare Workers in Nyeri County, Kenya
AU  - Joyce Mugo
AU  - Charles Mburu
AU  - Joseph Ngugi Kamau
Y1  - 2025/02/11
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11
T2  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JF  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JO  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
SP  - 1
EP  - 10
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-3592
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20251101.11
AB  - The widespread use of radioactive equipment in hospitals necessitates adequate knowledge and tools among healthcare workers to prevent and monitor radiation exposure. The study investigated the effectiveness of radiation protection in the detection of exposures among healthcare workers in Nyeri County, Kenya, focusing on radiation exposure levels, level of awareness, and control measures. Using a cross-sectional design, the study targeted 1121 healthcare workers, with a sample of 294. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires and a checklist, generating both quantitative and qualitative data. Dosimeter read-outs were conducted for one month and a radiation safety assessment survey in the Radiology department was also conducted using a radiation detector meter. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that about half of the healthcare workers had not received training on radiation hazards, and less than half were aware of the maximum permissible dose limit for adults. Approximately half of the workers knew that the eyes, thyroid glands, ovaries, and testis are susceptible to radiation hazards. The study recommended comprehensive and regular training programs for all healthcare workers, emphasizing the correct handling of lead aprons and the consistent use of personal protective devices such as lead aprons, lead glasses, portable lead shields, automatic interlock devices, and thyroid shields.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download