RADIOGRAPHERS’ AWARENESS AND COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION ON RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION GUIDELINES ON RADIATION PROTECTION BY RADIOGRAPHERS IN UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL.

This study examined the awareness and compliance of radiographers with the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) guidelines at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Nigeria. The ICRP provides global standards for radiation safety, and assessing how well these guidelines are understood and applied in local clinical settings is vital for protecting both patients and staff. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The entire population of thirty-one (31) radiographers working at UBTH participated, making it a census study. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire that covered respondents’ demographic details, awareness of ICRP principles, level of compliance, and perceived barriers to effective radiation protection. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to summarize responses, while inferential statistics, including the chi-square test and t-test, were applied to test the study hypotheses. Findings revealed that most radiographers were young (20–29 years) and male- dominated, with a majority having 1–2 years of professional experience. The study showed a high level of awareness of ICRP guidelines (mean = 3.78 ± 0.86), particularly concerning the ALARA principle and occupational dose limits. However, compliance was found to be moderate (mean = 3.24 ± 0.87) and not statistically significant. Factors such as years of experience, training frequency, and availability of protective devices were found to influence compliance levels. Qualitative responses pointed to institutional challenges, including a shortage of radiation protection equipment, poor maintenance of imaging machines, work overload, and limited refresher training. These factors appear to hinder full adherence to radiation protection standards despite high awareness levels. The study concludes that radiographers at UBTH possess strong theoretical knowledge of radiation safety but face structural and logistical barriers that affect their ability to comply with ICRP guidelines consistently. It is recommended that hospital management improve the availability of protective devices, conduct regular radiation safety training, and strengthen institutional monitoring systems. Doing so will enhance compliance, promote a stronger radiation safety culture, and ensure better protection for both patients and practitioners.