Session Item

Compliance with radiation protection rules is fundamental in radiotherapy given the radiation risk incurred by workers exposed in their work establishment. Wearing a personal dosimeter during professional activity provides individual protection for these workers. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the interest and the respect of the dosimeter wearing by the workers exposed to ionizing radiations in our department of radiotherapy.

This is a descriptive prospective study carried out among 30 workers (11 physicians, 5 physicists, 14 radiotherapists) and based on a questionnaire composed of 6 parts: 1st part: 5 general questions, 2nd part: two questions about the knowledge evaluation concerning the ionizing radiations types, 3rd part consisting of four questions about the knowledge evaluation concerning the radiations effects, 4th part consisting of 5 questions about the knowledge evaluation concerning dosimetric quantities and radiation protection standards, 5th part composed of 10 questions about the knowledge evaluation concerning dosimetry and dosimetric monitoring and 6th part composed of an only question about the level of workers satisfaction with the dosimeter used results in their departement.

The knowledge evaluation concerning the ionizing radiation types showed that a large part of the participants defined (40%) and differentiated them (60%). For the ionizing radiation biological effects, the majority of participants (95%) declared knowing them, however, only 16% were able to differentiate the types of these effects. On the other hand, the knowledge level concerning the clinical effects was satisfactory. In terms of dosimetry, the majority of participants (75%) found it difficult to define dosimetric quantities and radiation protection standards. By analyzing the answers to the questions about the knowledge evaluation concerning dosimeters, their use and dosimetric monitoring, we noted that there was a satisfactory knowledge level concerning these areas, apart from the question about the dosimeters types where only 30% of the participants were able to answer this question correctly. For the satisfaction level concerning the dosimeter used results, more than half of the participants (60%) were not satisfied.

The results of this study show some insufficiencies concerning the knowledge level of some physical bases and radiation protection as well as the dissatisfaction of the participants concerning the dosimeter used results. New reforms should therefore be envisaged by developing the culture of continuous training and awareness of radiation protection and by ensuring a well clinical follow-up.