Compliance with radiation protection among radiographers in Eswatini public health facilities

Abstract

Background: The consequence of non-compliance with patient radiation safety standards increases unnecessary radiation exposure with high chances of harmful biological effects. Radiographers are trained to prevent these harmful effects by enforcing radiation protection, which is achieved through proper techniques, equipment, shielding materials and beam collimation.

Aim: The study aimed to explore compliance with radiation protection by radiographers in Eswatini public health facilities (PHFs).

Setting: Eswatini PHFs with radiography departments (RDs) representing all four regions in the country.

Methods: The study applied a qualitative exploratory design. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with radiographers (who have at least 2 years of work experience) until data saturation was achieved with the 13th participant. Data were analysed thematically.

Results: A total of three themes were identified from the data analysis, namely participants’ attitudes towards compliance with radiation safety standards; participants’ subjective norms; and perceived behavioural control factors.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated radiographers’ awareness and knowledge of patient radiation safety standards. However, compliance with the standards remained a personal decision as radiographers are not obliged to comply. Moreover, defective lead protective devices, the unavailability of the full scope of lead protective designs, the inappropriate design of the RD building and unauthorised staff making unjustified X-ray requests contributed to non-compliance.

Contribution: The study highlighted a gap in compliance with patient radiation safety standards that requires attention from Eswatini’s Ministry of Health (MOH).