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Introduction: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) currently is an excellent imaging modality of choice for the demonstration of pathologies of the lumbar spine and the intervertebral disc. A sound knowledge of the common pathologies of the lumbar spine in our setting will assist clinicians and radiologists in making accurate diagnosis. Aim: To determine the type and distribution of MRI findings in lumbar spine pathologies and its demographic correlation in Rivers State. Materials and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study carried out among all symptomatic and asymptomatic patients who were referred for lumbar spine MRI at some selected Imaging Diagnostics Centres in Rivers State, from May 2020 to November 2020. The lumbar spine MRI examinations were performed using 0.35 Tesla MRI machines with both planar surface and multicoil phased array. The patients were evaluated for disabilities using the Nurick grading classifications. Data obtained were analysed using both descriptive (mean, deviation, frequency and percentage) and inferential (Pearson’s Correlation) statistical tools. The level of statistically significance was set at p <0.05. Results: Out of 151 patients that were included in this study, majority 78 (51.7%) of the patients were within the age group of 40-59 years with an overall mean age of 52.51±14 years. The majority 114 (75.50%) of the patients had single pathology. Among those that had single pathology, a greater proportion had spondylosis 65 (43.05%). A greater proportion 73 (48.34%) of the patients had single level of spinal involvement with lumbar vertebra four (L4) commonly affected in 26 (17.22%). Out of 151 patients, majority 49 (32.45%) had Nurick grade II and the least 7 (4.64%) had Nurick grade V. Conclusion: Lumbar spine pathologies frequently involve the fourth lumbar vertebra and middle-aged males are commonly affected.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the perception of radiography lecturers and radiography students towards the proposed Doctor of Radiography curriculum. Methodology:This study was carried out in all universities of Nigeria offering radiography as a course of study. The study population comprised of 62 radiography lecturers and 40 radiography students. A standard, self-structured questionnaire was used in the collection of data. The questionnaire comprised three sections. Section A obtained information on the demographic data of the lecturers and the students. Section B elicited information on perceived knowledge of graduates of the D-RAD curriculum while section C captured information on perceived quality of radiographers that will be produced by the D-RAD curriculum.Results: A total of 62 lecturers comprising 51 males (82.3%) and 11 females (17.7%) and 40 students comprising 26 females (65%) and 14 females (35%) participated in the study. For the production of very knowledgeable radiographers, the lecturers and the students had means of 3.09 and 3.19 respectively. The lecturers and the students had means of 3.25 and 3.47 for the production of high quality radiographers. The means gotten were greater than the cut-off score that is 2.50 which was the mean derived from a 4-point Likert scale of Strongly Disagree-1 to Strongly Agree-4. Conclusion:The proposed D-RAD curriculum will cover more content than the basic Bachelor's curriculum and ensure for the production of high quality and knowledgeable radiographers hence it is a welcome development for radiography lecturers and students.

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Introduction: Significant level of exposure of patient’s relatives to ionising radiation during medical imaging procedures has been observed and no attention has been paid to the knowledge of radiation hazards of patient’s relatives that follow the patient for a procedure. Aim: To assess the knowledge and awareness of radiation hazards and protection among patient’s relatives in Southeast, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a questionnaire hospital-based survey, which was conducted in two teaching hospitals, and one national hospital in Southeast Nigeria from January 2019 to June 2019. A 21 items semi-structured questionnaire were administered to 376 patient’ relatives selected purposively based on the inclusion criteria using one-on-one method. Information on demographic variables of the respondents, knowledge of ionising radiation effect, radiation protection and source of their knowledge of ionising radiation were collected. The obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Majority of the participants were females 221 (58.78%). Most of the participants, 263 (69.95%) did not have knowledge of ionising radiation. Only 118 (31.38%) knew that ionising radiation is hazardous to health. Greater number of the participants 289 (76.86%) were informed by the radiographers about the effects of ionising radiation while 87 (23.14%) read about it. Larger number of the participants, 325 (86.44%) had no idea about the meaning of radiation protection. Majority of the participants 287 (76.33) assisted their relatives during the examination. Most of the participants, 269 (71.54%) said they have seen the radiation warning sign before. Conclusion: This study revealed poor level of knowledge and awareness of radiation hazards and protection among patient’s relatives. It is obvious that public education will contribute immensely in the promotion of awareness of the harmful effect of ionising radiation and radiation protection measures.