Browsing by Author "Mundi, Abubakar Abdullahi"

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    Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude of Nurses in a Specialist Hospital towards Ionizing Radiation at Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
    (Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-06-02) Dauda, Samson Yusuf; Umar, Ibrahim; Tarfa, Faruk Usman; Mundi, Abubakar Abdullahi
    The effect of ionizing radiation on occupational workers is increasing at an alarming rate due to inadequate knowledge and attitude of workers. Despite this, little research has been done on the knowledge and attitude of Nigerian nurses towards radiation protection and practice. In this study, the knowledge and attitude of Nurses towards Ionizing radiation was carried out at Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, using a self-structured questionnaire. The systematic sampling technique was used to collect 30 usable responses, corresponding to 75 percent response rate that was used for the analysis. The result shows that, even though the nurses are not well educated and have just an average knowledge of radiation and its effects, they are found to show a positive (right) attitude towards ionizing radiation during theatre and ward radiography. Educational level and years of experience were found to have a significant impact on their attitude towards radiation. However, their low level of education could prove fatal if proper measures are not in place. Hospital management should embark on educational intervention programs, seminars and symposium for the nurses to improve their professional skills and knowledge for good radiation protection practices.
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    Structural Shielding Evaluation: A Case Study of the Radiography Room of a Rural Hospital in Jos, Nigeria
    (Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-12-12) Dauda, Samson Yusuf; Lumbi, Lucas Williams; Umar, Ibrahim; Loko, A.Z.; Mundi, Abubakar Abdullahi
    Introduction: Most Nigerian rural hospitals constructed before the publication of the 2005 National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Report No. 147 did not undergo a performance assessment at the time of construction. To avoid overexposure to ionizing radiation and to ensure adequate protection of patients, workers, and the public, the shielding barriers need to be evaluated to ascertain that they conform to this standard. Methods: This study evaluates the shielding barriers for the general radiography room in a rural hospital in Jos, Nigeria. The workload information, generator voltage waveform, anode material, filtration, and anode angle with XRAYBARR calculation model were used to estimate the thickness of lead, concrete, gypsum, steel, plate glass, and wood required to shield the X-ray facility installed in the hospital. The design dose limit was compared to the estimated shielded dose, and the calculated shielded barrier thickness to the design shielded barrier thickness was also compared. Results: The unshielded radiation doses inside the X-ray room were high, indicating that the radiological department of the study area is not minimizing radiation doses to patients. The calculated doses beyond the barriers were greater than the design dose limit, indicating that the shielded barriers in place were not adequate and did not comply with the international standard. Discussion: Hospitals must understand the type of shielding materials that can provide adequate protection and to what extent they can protect their radiography rooms. Management and radiation protection agencies need to ascertain whether these barriers are still adequate or require reinforcement through regular quality assurance testing. Due to an increase in workload associated with an increase in population and urbanization, proper policies are needed more than ever in this and other rural hospitals in Nigeria. Conclusion: The tested X-ray rooms did not comply with international recommendations for shielding thickness. Except for the door, console, and changing room, a 0.5 mm-thick lead reinforcement is required. It is also recommended that quality assurance testing occur on an annual basis.