A Survey of Allied Health Students' Knowledge and Awareness of Radiation Hazards and Protection in a Private University in Guwahati

Abstract

Background: Radiation exposure, particularly in healthcare settings, poses significant risks if not managed properly. Understanding the hazards associated with radiation and adhering to protection protocols are essential, especially for allied health students who are likely to encounter radiological procedures in their professional careers. This study assessed the awareness and knowledge levels regarding radiation protection and hazards among students from various allied health departments at a private university in Guwahati.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 435 participants of allied health students at The Assam Royal Global University selected through non-probability convenience sampling. The study was conducted between June and August 2024. It was made up of 17 close-ended questions assessing their awareness about radiation and related radiation hazards. Data were collected via a self-administered online questionnaire distributed through Google Forms. Participants were also questioned about their willingness to learn more about radiation safety measures and need of awareness programs on radiation safety. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA were used for data analysis.

Results: The majority of respondents (96.5%) were aware of radiation hazards, and 93.5% expressed willingness to attend a radiation awareness program. There was no significant difference in knowledge or awareness between male and female students (p = 0.758 and p = 0.991, respectively). However, a significant difference was observed across departments in both knowledge (p = 0.0001) and awareness (p = 0.0003), with Radiography students scoring the highest. The mean age of participants was 21.02 years, with a balanced gender distribution (52% male, 48% female), and most were undergraduate students (91.26%).

Conclusion: While overall awareness of radiation hazards among allied health students was high, knowledge levels varied significantly by department. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to ensure all healthcare students receive adequate training in radiation safety, especially those in non-radiology fields.