title: Assessment of radiation protection practices among radiographers in Lagos, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Use of ionising radiation in diagnostic radiography could lead to hazards such as somatic and genetic damages. Compliance to safe work and radiation protection practices could mitigate such risks. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and radiation protection practices among radiographers in Lagos, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a prospective cross sectional survey. Convenience sampling technique was used to select four x-ray diagnostic centres in four tertiary hospitals in Lagos metropolis. Data were analysed with Epi- info software, version 3.5.1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average score on assessment of knowledge was 73%. Most modern radiation protection instruments were lacking in all the centres studied. Application of shielding devices such as gonad shield for protection was neglected mostly in government hospitals. Most x-ray machines were quite old and evidence of quality assurance tests performed on such machines were lacking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiographers within Lagos metropolis showed an excellent knowledge of radiation protection within the study period. Adherence to radiation protection practices among radiographers in Lagos metropolis during the period studied was, however, poor. Radiographers in Lagos, Nigeria should embrace current trends in radiation protection and make more concerted efforts to apply their knowledge in protecting themselves and patients from harmful effects of ionising radiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis and Radiography, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Suru-Lere, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Cletus Uche
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Eze
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis and Radiography, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Suru-Lere, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Livinus Chibuzo
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Abonyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis and Radiography, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Suru-Lere, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Njoku
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis and Radiography, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Suru-Lere, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Nicholas Kayode
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Irurhe
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis and Radiography, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Suru-Lere, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluwabola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Olowu
keywords: Attitude; ionisation; protection; radiation; radiographers