Knowledge of medical students on the use of ionizing radiation, its associated risks and their readiness to prescribe diagnostic imaging procedures in Zambia

Siwila, Boster Dearson

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Siwila, Boster Dearson. Knowledge of medical students on the use of ionizing radiation, its associated risks and their readiness to prescribe diagnostic imaging procedures in Zambia. 2015.

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/58571

Title: Knowledge of medical students on the use of ionizing radiation, its associated risks and their readiness to prescribe diagnostic imaging procedures in Zambia
Creator: Siwila, Boster Dearson
Contributor: Chipeya, Lucky
Contributor: Mdletshe, Sibusiso
Contributor: Sichone, James
Contributor: Chipeya, Lucky
Contributor: Mdletshe, Sibusiso
Contributor: Sichone, James
Subject: Ionizing radiation
Subject: Radiography, Medical
Subject: Diagnostic imaging
Subject: Medical students - Zambia
Date: 2015
Description: Abstract: The use of ionizing radiation in diagnostic medical imaging procedures has been found to aid in the diagnosis of diseases. However, the associated risks due to stochastic and non-stochastic effects make it necessary to protect patients from potential harm. It is therefore important for the referring medical doctor to acquire appropriate and accurate knowledge on the risks and benefits of ionizing radiation. This knowledge could be acquired at the undergraduate level of medical school training. This study explored and described the knowledge of final year Zambian medical students on the use of ionizing radiation, the associated risks thereof and their readiness to justify and prescribe imaging procedures once qualified. A convenient non-probability sampling technique was used in which all final year medical students were invited to participate. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions version 20.0 in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 58 final year medical students participated in the study and the results indicated that 48 (83%) were male and 10 (17%) were female. Twenty-four (41.4%) participants did not know what ionizing radiation is associated with in terms of the different types of electromagnetic radiation. Fifty-one (91.4%) participants did not understand the meaning of stochastic and non-stochastic effects and only five (8.6%) participants understood the meaning of these terms. A high number of participants (81.0%) responded that knowing radiation doses to the patient when referring patients for diagnostic imaging procedures was very important, 46 (79.3%) participants noted that it was a necessity to consider radiation exposure when referring patients. Forty-five (77.6%) participants responded that they were not aware of any laws governing ionizing radiation in Zambia. The results implied that despite the high risks associated with the use of ionizing radiation, the knowledge levels of the medical students was insufficient. Therefore a model of referral imaging guidelines was developed as a proposal to minimize the knowledge gap. It is suggested that apart from incorporating these guidelines in the medical curriculum, the syllabus should be revised and a course on radiation...
Description: M.Tech. (Radiography)

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collection(s): ETDs
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/58571
Identifier: uj:16464
Identifier: uj:16464
Language: English
Rights: University of Johannesburg
Type: Masters (Thesis)
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ETDs Knowledge of medical students on the use of ionizing radiation, its associated risks and their readiness to prescribe diagnostic imaging procedures in Zambia

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