Abstract:
Background: Radiologic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using ionizing radiation carry
potential health risks. Hence, clients’ knowledge about ionizing radiation would play a key role
in reducing unnecessary imaging and its impacts. However, information on client’s knowledge
in low-income countries specifically in the Ethiopian context has been limited.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine Knowledge towards ionizing radiation and
associated factors among Patients waiting radiologic imaging at public Hospitals of West Shoa
Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Method: Institutional-based Cross-sectional study design was conducted among 403 patients
from September 01 to 30, 2022. Data were collected from patients underwent radiologic
imaging at public Hospitals’ by using systematic sampling technique and a structured
administered questionnaires was used. The collected data was coded and entered into Epi Data
version 4.6 and analyzed by using SPSS window software 26 version. Descriptive statistical
analysis such as frequency, percentage, and standard deviation was calculated. Binary logistic
regression was used to determine the association between outcome variable and predictors.
Variables that have a p-value < 0.25 in binary logistic regression were entered to the multiple
logistic regression models. AOR with its 95% CI were computed for variables included in the
multiple model and P-value<0.05 was used to declare significant association.
Result: From 403 samples of participate, the response rate was 98.3%. (n = 396). Among them
55.3% (95%CI=50%, 60%) had poor knowledge towards ionizing radiation. Information from
referring unit[AOR=0.18,95%CI(0.04, 0.92)], sex [AOR=0.11, 95% CI (0.09, 0.74)]
,Residence of the patients [AOR = 0.02, 95% CI (0.56, 0.79) IR risks communication
[AOR=0.01, 95% CI (0.06, 0.67] and history of previous radiologic imaging[AOR=0.049 and
95% CI (0.01, 0.99] were factors that associated with knowledge of patients toward IR
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that patients undergoing medical imaging
procedures have limited knowledge about ionizing radiation. Intervention to achieve better
patient awareness of ionizing radiation risks related to medical exposures may be beneficial.
