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Abstract
The increasing reliance on diagnostic radiography in modern medicine has made patient safety a critical component of healthcare delivery. Among the essential radiation protection measures
employed during X-ray procedures are lead aprons and gonad shields, which serve to limit exposure to ionizing radiation, particularly to radiosensitive organs. The study aimed to assess the use of lead aprons and gonad shields during routine X-ray examinations at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Raytouch diagnostics with emphasis on frequency, knowledge, attitudes, and influencing factors. A descriptive cross sectional survey was adopted, census sampling technique was used to select a total of 37 radiographers participated, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The findings revealed that most radiographers demonstrated good knowledge of radiation protection principles and recognised the importance of shielding in reducing unnecessary exposure. The frequency of lead apron use
was high, particularly for paediatric and routine examinations, while gonad shield use was moderate due to issues such as limited availability, perceived interference with image quality, and time constraints. Despite these challenges, radiographers generally acknowledged the ethical responsibility of maintaining radiation safety and prioritised shielding where feasible. Institutional support through policies, training, and equipment availability was identified as a strong motivating factor for compliance. The test of hypothesis confirmed a significant association between radiographers’ knowledge and their use of radiation protection tools, implying that the more informed a radiographer is, the more consistent their protective practice becomes.
employed during X-ray procedures are lead aprons and gonad shields, which serve to limit exposure to ionizing radiation, particularly to radiosensitive organs. The study aimed to assess the use of lead aprons and gonad shields during routine X-ray examinations at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Raytouch diagnostics with emphasis on frequency, knowledge, attitudes, and influencing factors. A descriptive cross sectional survey was adopted, census sampling technique was used to select a total of 37 radiographers participated, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The findings revealed that most radiographers demonstrated good knowledge of radiation protection principles and recognised the importance of shielding in reducing unnecessary exposure. The frequency of lead apron use
was high, particularly for paediatric and routine examinations, while gonad shield use was moderate due to issues such as limited availability, perceived interference with image quality, and time constraints. Despite these challenges, radiographers generally acknowledged the ethical responsibility of maintaining radiation safety and prioritised shielding where feasible. Institutional support through policies, training, and equipment availability was identified as a strong motivating factor for compliance. The test of hypothesis confirmed a significant association between radiographers’ knowledge and their use of radiation protection tools, implying that the more informed a radiographer is, the more consistent their protective practice becomes.
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