RADIOGRAPHY

Radiographic contrast agents are essential in diagnostic imaging but may cause adverse reactions if not properly managed. This study assessed the knowledge, awareness, and preparedness of radiographers in Benin City regarding contrast media and related adverse reactions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 60 licensed radiographers across public and private health facilities using a validated questionnaire. Results showed that while most radiographers demonstrated good knowledge of contrast media (mean score = 79.8%), awareness of risks (66.5%) and preparedness for managing reactions (69.1%) were below the acceptable 70% benchmark. Training significantly improved preparedness levels (p < 0.05), though awareness did not differ significantly by training status (p > 0.05). The findings reveal that radiographers possess strong theoretical knowledge but moderate readiness for emergency management, underscoring the need for continuous education, refresher courses, and standardized emergency protocols to enhance patient safety.

Healthcare policies are central to the regulation of radiographic practice and play a vital role in shaping the quality of patient care. This study investigated the impact of healthcare policies on radiographers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), focusing on policy awareness, influence on daily practice, patient care outcomes, and the challenges of policy adherence. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, and data were collected from viii 31 radiographers through a structured questionnaire. The results showed that 61.3% of respondents were aware of institutional healthcare policies, while 74.2% could identify policy documents relevant to their duties. Full compliance with radiation safety requirements (100%) was observed, demonstrating strong adherence in safety-sensitive areas. Policies were found to substantially influence professional conduct, as 93.5% agreed that policies guide daily radiographic practice, while 87.1% indicated that policies ensure standardization and 90.3% affirmed improved accountability. In terms of patient care, 93.5% agreed that policies enhance service quality and 87.1% believed they promote consistency, although only 42.0% felt that policies reduce imaging time. A Chi-square test further confirmed a statistically significant relationship between healthcare policies and daily radiographic practice (χ² = 61.29, df = 1, p = 0.000), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. Despite these positive outcomes, radiographers reported major challenges such as inadequate resources (87.1%), insufficient training (61.3%), outdated guidelines (58.1%), and inconsistent implementation across departments (58.0%). The study concludes that healthcare policies positively shape radiographic practice and patient care at UBTH, but their effectiveness is limited by systemic and administrative constraints. Strengthening policy communication, updating guidelines, improving resource availability, and expanding training opportunities will enhance policy adherence and further improve patient outcomes in radiography.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a crucial diagnostic technique that provides detailed information about soft tissues without exposing patients to ionizing radiation. MRI has a lot of benefits, but it also has a lot of safety dangers because of its strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency exposure.This study assessed the understanding and knowledge of MRI safety issues among clinical radiography students at the University of Benin. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and tables and percentages were utilized to present the findings. The results of the study showed that while the majority of participants understood MRI safety to a respectable degree, there were noticeable gaps in their knowledge of screening protocols, emergency response,and identification of magnetic field zones.Students who had attended formal MRI lectures or participated in clinical MRI rotations demonstrated better safety knowledge compared to those who had not. In conclusion, while radiography students at the University of Benin exhibit a fair level of awareness of MRI safety, there is still a need for more comprehensive inclusion of MRI safety education and simulation-based learning within the curriculum. Improving MRI safety training during undergraduate studies will enhance safe clinical practice and minimise the likelihood of safety incidents.