Issue |
Radioprotection
Volume 60, Number 2, Avril-Juin 2025
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 176 - 185 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/radiopro/2024049 | |
Published online | 13 June 2025 |
Article
Evaluation of radiation protection knowledge and practices among Moroccan operating room nurses
1
Materials and Subatomic Physics Laboratory, Faculty of sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco
2
Radiotherapy Department, National Institute of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
* Corresponding author: ilham.harbaj@uit.ac.ma
Received:
26
July
2024
Accepted:
14
October
2024
This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated radiation protection knowledge and practices among 206 Moroccan operating room nurses through a tailored 42-item self-administered questionnaire. The study population exhibited a predominance of male participants (81.1%) and a significant proportion of young professionals (42.2% aged 20–29). Notably, 91.7% of participants reported no prior formal radiation protection training. Data analysis revealed a mean global knowledge score of 4.98 ± 1.02 out of 10, with only 1.9% of participants achieving a high level of knowledge. Specifically, the mean scores for ionizing radiation (IR) and radiation protection (RP) knowledge reached 5.17 ± 1.05 and 4.79 ± 1.18, respectively, with 1.5% of participants demonstrating high-level understanding in both domains. Statistical analysis revealed significant positive correlations between ionizing radiation (IR) and radiation protection (RP) knowledge scores (r2 = 0.446, p < 0.001), as well as between global knowledge and practice scores (r2 = 0.481, p < 0.001). This investigation highlights a significant gap between theoretical understanding and practical application, emphasizing the need for preliminary training programs before operating room assignments and ongoing education initiatives. Such training should prioritize hands-on experience while addressing resource limitations and the influence of existing operational procedures to improve radiological safety in Moroccan operating rooms.
Key words: Radiation protection / knowledge / practices / nurses / operating room
© I. Harbaj et al., Published by EDP Sciences 2025
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