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Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of nurses towards radiation protection In Maiduguri metropolis. Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. A quota sampling technique was used to draw a total of 188 registered nurses from three tertiary hospitals in Maiduguri metropolis; University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Maiduguri (FNPH), and State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri (SSH) participated in the study. Data was obtained using a 14-item self completion questionnaire that was administered to nursing staff of these hospitals. The questionnaire was divided into 2 sections. Section A; on demographic data and Section B; on knowledge and attitude. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0 and descriptive statistics was used for the analysis.Results: There were more female than male participants with a ratio of 1.09:1. Majority of the nurses (74%) were below the age of forty (40). Most of the nurses 68 (36.2%) had diploma as their highest qualification followed by 61 (32.4%) certificate holders. The level of knowledge on radiation was found to be good and positive attitude towards radiation during ward/theater radiography. Conclusion:Findings of this study revealed that nurses within Maiduguri metropolis had good knowledge of ionizing radiation, although their attitude towards radiation protection during ward/theater radiography is still less than required.

Exposure to ionizing radiation is known to affect some hematological parameters of biological sample. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of ionizing radiation within the diagnostic range on some hematological parameters in guinea pigs. Thirty six (36) apparently healthy adult guinea pigs of both sexes weighing between 700 and 1200 g were used. The guinea pigs were categorized in to three groups, 12 per group; group A (control), group B, and C were exposed to X-rays within the diagnostic range, using 70 kV and 12.5mAs; using X-ray machine MS-185, serial no. 0904 GE at a source to skin distance (SSD) of 90 cm. Blood samples were collected from all the guinea pigs at intervals of 1, 24, 72, 168 and 336 hours post-irradiation, and subjected to standard hematological analysis. A continuous decline in the mean total white blood cell count and mean lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil count after 1 hour in both groups was observed, and more pronounced after 24 hours post-irradiation. However, stability was observed 72 hours post-irradiation in both groups. In conclusion, a depleting effect of low dose ionizing radiation on white blood cell count was found, with appreciable recovery occurring after 72 hours onward.

Background: The practical implementation of Diagnostic Reference Level in paediatric imaging is a complex task due to their unique individuality in terms of high sensitivity to radiation, varying body sizes and presenting pathology. Hence, good knowledge of medical technology, skill to perform patient dosimetry and to analyze mage quality is required. Purpose: To provide a guide on the methodological requirements for the establishment of Paediatric Diagnostic Reference Levels (PiDRLs) based on the revised and updated guidelines from the current ICRP publication 135 on Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs). Materials and method: An extensive review of the ICRP report Publication 135 on Diagnostic Reference levels in medical imaging with a focus on paediatric imaging and other related studies were undertaken. Results: The ICRP report 135 updates and refines the recommendations of 2001. It highlights that the application of DRLs in paediatrics alone is not sufficient for the optimization of protection. Image quality must be evaluated. Quantities used for DRLs should be appropriate to the imaging modality being evaluated, assess the amount of ionizing radiation applied to perform a medical imaging task, and be measured directly. For interventional procedures, the complexity of the procedure may be considered in setting DRLs. DRLs shall not be used for individual patients or as trigger (alert or alarm) levels for individual patients. Appropriate weight bands (generally with 5 or 10 kg intervals) are recommended for establishing paediatric DRLs and should be promoted. Conclusion: The amount of radiation used for examinations of children can vary tremendously due to great variation in patient size and weight from neonates to adult-sized adolescents. This variation in patient radiation dose is appropriate. However, variation in patient doses due to inappropriate technique or failure to child-size the imaging protocol is not appropriate. This forms the basis of the new ICRP guideline and should form the basis of developing PiDRLs.

COVID-19 pandemic shutdown of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and globally following the lockdown of socio-economic activities. There is paucity of data on the effects of the pandemic on Radiography education in Nigerian universities especially in Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Nnewi campus. This prospective cross - sectional study was carried out using a structured questionnaire. One hundred and twenty- five questionnaires were distributed by the researcher to students, academic and non-academic staff of the department of Radiography, NAU, and one hundred was retrieved thereafter. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23 at 5% level of significance. The major effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Radiography education in NAU were poor access to education financing (97%), poor attendance to lectures (91%), poor academic performance after the lockdown (85%), better attitude to infection control (81%), disruption of academic calendar (88%), the rushing of many lectures over a short time and low assimilation/understanding among students (75%), the predominance of physical classroom lectures especially among undergraduates (55%), promoted online lectures especially among postgraduate students (45%), better hygiene culture (35%, 0.00076 = p < 0.05, adjusted α = 0.0032) ) and loss of interest in education (27.5%). However, only the enthronement of better hygiene culture had significant effects on Radiography education (p = 0.00076). The study concludes that the only significant and positive effect of COVID-19 pandemic on Radiography education in NAU was the enthronement of better hygiene culture.