RADIATION SAFETY AND SELF-PROTECTION EDUCATION FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND PATIENTS IN RADIOLOGY FACILITIES OF HOSPITALS AND CLINICS IN NORTH SUMATRA

Abstract

The safe and effective utilization of ionizing radiation in medical imaging is paramount, yet inadequate radiation safety knowledge and practices among healthcare professionals and patients pose significant risks of stochastic and deterministic health effects. Despite established international guidelines and national regulations, a persistent gap in understanding and adherence to radiation protection principles is evident, particularly in resource-limited settings. Recent global trends indicate a rise in diagnostic imaging utilization, amplifying the urgency to address potential radiation overexposure. Specifically, in North Sumatra, Indonesia, preliminary observations suggest a lack of standardized, comprehensive radiation safety outreach programs tailored to both healthcare providers and patient populations within its diverse radiology facilities, highlighting a critical research gap in assessing current knowledge levels and the effectiveness of existing protective measures. This study comprehensively assessed the existing knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding radiation safety and personal protection among healthcare professionals and patients undergoing radiological procedures in hospitals and clinics across North Sumatra, aiming to identify specific barriers and facilitators to effective radiation safety implementation and to propose evidence-based recommendations for enhancing radiation protection strategies within these facilities, theoretically grounded in the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study design was employed, involving a stratified random sampling of 500 healthcare professionals and 500 patients from 20 selected hospitals and clinics, with data collected via validated questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Statistical analysis revealed a significant disparity in radiation safety knowledge, with healthcare professionals demonstrating moderate understanding (mean score 68.5% ± 12.3%) while patient knowledge was notably low (mean score 35.2% ± 15.8%). Attitudes towards radiation safety were generally positive among professionals (mean Likert score 4.2/5), but this did not consistently translate into optimal practices (observed adherence rate 65%), while patients expressed anxiety and a desire for more information (mean Likert score 3.9/5), yet few reported receiving comprehensive explanations. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.62, p < 0.001) was found between perceived training frequency and knowledge scores among healthcare professionals, with qualitative analysis identifying a lack of standardized protocols and insufficient access to updated educational materials as primary barriers. This research concludes that there is an urgent need to implement targeted and standardized radiation safety and personal protection educational programs for both healthcare professionals and patients in North Sumatra's radiology facilities, as the identified gaps underscore the critical importance of effective communication and patient empowerment in radiation safety. These findings contribute significantly to theoretical understanding and offer practical, actionable recommendations for policymakers and healthcare administrators to improve radiation protection standards, thereby minimizing patient and occupational risks, with future research recommended to evaluate interventional educational strategies.