The awareness of caregivers about their children’s exposure to ionizing radiation accompanying medical procedures: the assessment study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the study was a survey-based assessment concerning parents of children undergoing CT examinations and their knowledge of detailed information about procedures involved in imaging diagnostics. Material and Methods A statistical analysis of 108 surveys of parents of children undergoing CT studies in the Department of Pediatric Radiology in Poznań, Poland was done, with the use of Statistica software. Results In result of the evaluation of all subsections of the substantive question number, the majority of answers were incorrect (68–98%). No correlation between the number of CT examinations conducted for a child and the number of correct answers to substantive questions was observed. No correlation between the number of CT examinations conducted for a child and the fact of noting the examination with the use of ionizing radiation down in a child’s health certificate was stated. The statistical analysis showed that children of parents who declared that the aim of the CT examination had been explained to them better underwent more of them. Conclusions Parents are poorly informed about a radiation dose and risk related to a CT examination procedure. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(1):65–73

Keywords

• children
• CT examination
• parents
• radiation protection
• ionizing radiation
• radiation dose