Knowledge of Radiation Protection and the Recognition and Performance of Radiation Protection Behavior among Perioperative Nurses

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate the knowledge of radiation protection and the recognition and performance of radiation protection behaviors among perioperative nurses. This study was intended to yield basic data for the development of nursing interventions aimed at improving the nurses' radiation protection behaviors. Methods: One hundred and thirty-seven nurses working in the operating room participated in a survey from September 1 to 30, 2011. The data was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation with the SPSS/WIN 19.0 program. Results: The average score of radiation protection knowledge was 7.57±3.45 out of 16. The average score for the recognition and performance of radiation protection behaviors was 4.32±0.23. The knowledge of radiation protection was significantly correlated with the recognition and performance of radiation protection behaviors. Conclusion: Expanding the knowledge of radiation protection could lead to the increase of the recognition and performance of radiation protection behaviors. Therefore, promoting the performance of radiation protection behaviors by improving perioperative nurses' knowledge of radiation protection through reinforcing radiation-related education hereafter could be an important part of nursing.

Correlation between Knowledge and Performance of Radiation Protection among Operating Room Nurses

“…Knowledge of radiation protection showed a statistically significant positive correlation with performance of radiation protection behavior (r=.229, p<.01), which was consistent with the results from the study by Kang & Lee [7], Lee [9], Kim [11], and Yoon & Yoon [12]. Therefore, nurses with greater knowledge of radiation protection showed higher performance of radiation protection behavior.…”

“…Although this score was higher than reported by by Kang & Lee [7], Lee [9], it was much lower than the radiation protection attitude score of 90.25 points reported by Yun [10].…”

“…The research tool used was a questionnaire on knowledge of radiation protection and performance of radiation protection behavior, which was developed by Kang [7]. The questionnaire was used after testing the validity of its content through consultation with a professor of nursing, an orthopedic physician, and a radiologist.…”

“…In regards to the reliability of the tool, questions on knowledge related to radiation protection were processed as correct or incorrect answers, and the corresponding Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 value was .68, while performance for radiation protection behavior had a Cronbach alpha value of .88. At the time of development, Kang's [7] tool performance for radiation protection behavior had a Cronbach alpha value of .85.…”

“…Studies on radiation protection have involved investigation of protection-related knowledge, awareness, and behavior in radiology workers at medical institutions [1]; radiation protection awareness surveys of diagnostic radiologists [2]; radiation protectionrelated knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in dental workers [6]; and radiation protection behavior-related awareness and performance in OR nurses [7,8]. However, there are few such studies.…”