AKPOBASAHAN E. A

Ionizing radiation is widely used in medical imaging but requires strict adherence to safety standards. This study assessed the awareness of radiation dose limits and regulatory guidelines among 234 radiography clinical-year students at the University of Benin. Only 36.4% correctly identified the recommended public dose limit of 1 mSv, while 44% admitted not knowing it. Mean knowledge score was moderate (66.8%), though Confidence towards radiation protection was high (87.1%). Students who attended radiation protection courses scored significantly higher (76.1%) than non-attendees (48.1%). These findings highlight a gap between positive safety Confidences and technical knowledge, emphasizing the need for strengthened curriculum and structured trainings.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a relatively simple, safe, and minimally invasive radiological examination used to visualize the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes through the introduction of a contrast medium. Beyond its diagnostic value, HSG also offers therapeutic benefits in the assessment and management planning of infertility. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine how pre-procedure education and counseling influence pain perception and anxiety levels among women undergoing HSG. A total of sixty-nine (69) women were selected using a purposive sampling method to ensure appropriate representation of individuals scheduled for the procedure. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for assessing pain intensity, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for evaluating anxiety before, during, and after the examination. All collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Socio-demographic analysis showed that 25 participants (36.2%) were between 20–29 years, 24 (34.8%) were aged 30–39 years, and 20 (29.0%) fell within 40–49 years. Regarding educational attainment, 44 respondents (63.8%) had university or postgraduate qualifications, whereas 25 (36.2%) had only primary or secondary school education. The majority, 53 women (76.8%), were married. Of the
participants, 35 (50.7%) were assigned to the intervention group and received comprehensive information about the HSG procedure, while 34 (49.3%) formed the control group and did not receive such guidance. Within the intervention group, 32 women (91.4%) reported that the education and counseling were extremely beneficial, while the remaining 3 (8.6%) found them moderately helpful. Pain assessment revealed that in the control group, 58.8% experienced moderate pain and 41.2% reported severe pain. Conversely, among the intervention group, 82.9% reported only mild pain and 17.1% experienced moderate pain. Anxiety levels followed a similar pattern: 67.7% of the control group exhibited high anxiety, whereas 88.6% of the intervention group reported minimal anxiety. Hypothesis testing indicated that all comparisons between the control and intervention groups yielded p-values less than 0.05, signifying statistically significant differences. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected, and the alternative hypothesis was accepted.