Across-sectional survey to determine the paediatricians awareness of diagnostic medical radiation doses and effects in Thi-Qar

The aim of this study is to determine the paediatricians awareness level of diagnostic radiation doses and effects in Thi-qar. A questionnaire form designed and given to all paediatricians working in two hospitals (government hospitals) in Thi-qar. Fifty one participant’s responses to the questionnaire form taking for this study. 9.8% Consultants, 7.8% Interns, 54.9% Residents and 27.4% are Paediatrician Specialists. Out of the population of 51 paediatricians none of the respondents correctly identified the percentage of background radiation caused by medical radiation. Only 21.5% were familiar with the ALARA principle. Only 7.8% of respondents knew that the stomach is the second most radiosensitive organ in children after the gonads. Only 13.7% of respondents were correctly able to estimate the chest x-ray (CXR) dose, and they all had <3 years experiences. none of the respondents estimated the cancer risk correctly for one year old child’s undergoing computed tomography (CT) scan. Of the participants, 19.6% were able to identify the radiosensitivity of a five years old child Compared to an adult. For dose estimation, 49% of participants underestimated the dose in different radiology examinations. This is compared to 31.6% and 19.2% who correctly answered and who overestimated, respectively.