- Medicine, Computer Science, Psychology, Education, Technology, Public Health, and 17 moreArtificial Intelligence, Cultural Studies, Climate Change, Communication, Social Sciences, Data Mining, Public Policy, Renewable Energy, Environmental Sustainability, Educational Technology, Sustainable Development, Research Methodology, Entrepreneurship, Development Studies, E-learning, Physics, and Ethicsedit
OBJECTIVES The Bonn call for action, with the theme: "Setting the scene for the next decade," was declared over nine years ago to strengthen radiation protection in medicine. This study reviews key actions and activities related... more
OBJECTIVES The Bonn call for action, with the theme: "Setting the scene for the next decade," was declared over nine years ago to strengthen radiation protection in medicine. This study reviews key actions and activities related to radiation protection of children and adolescents consistent with the Bonn call for action in sub-Saharan Africa to highlight progress and identify existing gaps. KEY FINDINGS A lot has happened since the declaration of the Bonn call-for-action such as a follow-up conference in 2017 on achieving change in the practice of radiation protection. However, there exists a huge gap that needs to be filled in the radiation protection of children and adolescents in low and middle-income countries particularly sub-Saharan Africa, where limited resources in health compete with radiation protection demands. Some of the gaps that remain are the apparent lack of implementation of the use of referral guidelines and establishment of national and regional diagnostic reference levels for paediatric imaging among others. CONCLUSION Several strides have been achieved on a global scale for the Bonn call for action, ranging from the justification of medical exposures to the current drive for radiation safety culture in medical imaging. However, several unmet needs for radiation protection for children and adolescents remain such as implementation of referral guidelines for justification and paediatric diagnostic reference levels. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Step up actions and close collaboration is required to strengthen the practice of paediatric radiation protection in low and middle-income countries because children account for a greater proportion of the population and are vulnerable to the negative effects of radiation like possible cancer induction.
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Background: There is a human resource crisis in the healthcare sector in Nigeria. This is because of the existing inequitable distribution of the available meagre workforce which is itself not helped by the increasing and currently... more
Background: There is a human resource crisis in the healthcare sector in Nigeria. This is because of the existing inequitable distribution of the available meagre workforce which is itself not helped by the increasing and currently trending brain drain.Purpose: This study aimed at assessing the factors that influence radiographers' choice of career in rural settlements in Northeastern Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Radiographers in Northeastern Nigeria. A 21-item, self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was distributed over a six (6) month period, where 130 questionnaires were distributed. The questionnaire consisted of two sections; a: on demography; b: on factors (attractors and detractors) for career choice in rural areas. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data; descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 was used.Results: A total of 91 questionn...
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Background: The concept of mentorship has gained widespread popularity in literature across different walks of life owing to the significant benefits attached to it. Purpose: This paper intends to discuss the need for mentorship in... more
Background: The concept of mentorship has gained widespread popularity in literature across different walks of life owing to the significant benefits attached to it. Purpose: This paper intends to discuss the need for mentorship in radiography, as an indispensable tool for a sustainable healthcare transformation, taking clues from other health science disciplines and medicine. Method: Authors reviewed relevant literature on the subject to have an in-depth and updated knowledge both in the health sciences as well as in other disciplines. Search engines such as Google Scholar, My Websearch, and data base such as Science Direct, Hinari, Taylor and Francis and Medknow were consulted. Several articles that discussed mentorship across various disciplines were reviewed. Those with ideas and concepts that fit into the purpose of the study were included. Results: Several definitions and types of mentorship exist across different walks of life based on literature. However, we decided to ado...
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OBJECTIVES The potential benefits and challenges of achieving universal access to obstetric ultrasound services in resource constrained settings were reviewed, with a view to making some recommendations to address the huge burden of... more
OBJECTIVES The potential benefits and challenges of achieving universal access to obstetric ultrasound services in resource constrained settings were reviewed, with a view to making some recommendations to address the huge burden of avoidable maternal and child morbidity and mortality. KEY FINDINGS In most resource-poor settings of the world, antenatal ultrasound is available only to a privileged few in urban centres, while the majority of the population living in rural areas have little or no access to diagnostic imaging services. There is also the extreme shortage of sonographers and doctors with specialist training in sonography. A comprehensive regulation must be put in place to achieve maximum benefits and to ensure quality assurance; appropriate use and application of ethics and training must be comprehensive. CONCLUSION Ultrasound service provision, in resource-scarce settings, has the potential to improve access and quality of health care services in areas like the point of care ultrasound service provision and in the fields of obstetrics and gynaecology. A comprehensive regulation must be put in place to achieve maximum benefits and to ensure quality assurance. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Making ultrasound technology available and affordable in resource scare settings has the potential to improve access to diagnostic imaging services and reduce avoidable maternal and child death in resource constrained settings.
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To address the limitation of CTDIvol, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine recently published a report on SSDE in body CT, where a patient’s size is used to compute an estimate of patient dose from CTDIvol. This study... more
To address the limitation of CTDIvol, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine recently published a report on SSDE in body CT, where a patient’s size is used to compute an estimate of patient dose from CTDIvol. This study estimates patients’ radiation dose in abdominal computed tomography examination by considering patient size and established a facility diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) based on CTDI, DLP and SSDE for the purpose of dose optimization. A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano-Northwestern Nigeria from April 2019 to September 2019. The study reviewed Fifty-five patients for abdominal Computed Tomography based on the recommendation of ICRP for DRLs. The study considered CTDIvol, DLP and SSDE. The SSDE is based on the anterior-posterior and lateral diameters of the patients; and a conversion factor (f). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.0 was used to analysed the mean, median, st...
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Background: The practical implementation of Diagnostic Reference Level in paediatric imaging is a complex task due to their unique individuality in terms of high sensitivity to radiation, varying body sizes and presenting pathology.... more
Background: The practical implementation of Diagnostic Reference Level in paediatric imaging is a complex task due to their unique individuality in terms of high sensitivity to radiation, varying body sizes and presenting pathology. Hence, good knowledge of medical technology, skill to perform patient dosimetry and to analyze mage quality is required. Purpose: To provide a guide on the methodological requirements for the establishment of Paediatric Diagnostic Reference Levels (PiDRLs) based on the revised and updated guidelines from the current ICRP publication 135 on Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs). Materials and method: An extensive review of the ICRP report Publication 135 on Diagnostic Reference levels in medical imaging with a focus on paediatric imaging and other related studies were undertaken. Results: The ICRP report 135 updates and refines the recommendations of 2001. It highlights that the application of DRLs in paediatrics alone is not sufficient for the optimization ...
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To determine the common pattern of findings among suspected infertile women and to relate the findings with age. A retrospective cross sectional review of 290 reports investigated for infertility from May, 2013 to May, 2014 using a... more
To determine the common pattern of findings among suspected infertile women and to relate the findings with age. A retrospective cross sectional review of 290 reports investigated for infertility from May, 2013 to May, 2014 using a convenient sampling technique. Data capture sheet was used to elicit information and designed to include patient’s age, clinical indication and findings. Out of the total 290 patients’ report reviewed, normal findings were 181 (62.41%), findings classified to be tubal blockage are 33 (11.38%) and those classified under uterine fibroid are 16 (5.52%). From the study, more pathologies can be classified as multiple myoma 5 (1.72%), bilateral tubal adhesion 6 (2.07%), uterine adhesion 24 (8.28%), cervical adhesion 6 (2.07%), cervico-uterine adhesion 7 (2.41%), hydrosalpinx with spillage 10 (3.45%), and rotated uterus 2 (0.69%). The age range of 20-29 has the highest frequency of 136 and the lowest frequency was 12 which were seen in 10-19 years age range. And...
The concept of diagnostic reference level has been in existence for almost three decades. It has also found its place in regulatory systems for nearly 20 years. Currently, national bodies are expected to establish their diagnostic... more
The concept of diagnostic reference level has been in existence for almost three decades. It has also found its place in regulatory systems for nearly 20 years. Currently, national bodies are expected to establish their diagnostic reference level values. There is also provision for local and regional diagnostic reference levels. Also, almost all regulatory systems include the use of diagnostic reference levels for patient protection as an optimization tool. Despite the foregoing, there is still a lack of knowledge of the concept within the medical community. This prompted the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) to review its current document on diagnostic reference level with a view to come up with a new one consistent with current technology and practice. This paper seeks to review the concept, misconceptions and current trends in diagnostic reference level with special focus on some revised section in the new (ICRP) document. Key words; diagnostic reference...
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Background: Exposure to ionizing radia on is known to have various effects on hematological parameters of biological sample. This study was aimed at evalua ng the effect of ionizing radia on on some hematological parameters in guinea... more
Background: Exposure to ionizing radia on is known to have various effects on hematological parameters of biological sample. This study was aimed at evalua ng the effect of ionizing radia on on some hematological parameters in guinea pigs. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six (36) apparently healthy adult guinea pigs of both sexes weighing between 700g – 1200g were used in the present study. The guinea pigs were categorized into three groups, 12 per group; group A (control), group B, and C were exposed to X-rays within the diagnos c range, using 70 kV and 12.5mAs; using X-ray machine MS-185, serial no. 0904 GE at a source to skin distance (SSD) of 90cm. Blood samples were collected from all the guinea pigs at intervals of 1 hour, 24 hours 72 hours, 168 hours and 336 hours post-irradia on, and subjected to standard hematological analysis. Results: A con nuous decline in the mean total white blood cell count and mean lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil count a9er 1hour in bot...
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Objective : To assess the adequacy of x-ray beam collimation as a parameter for radiation protection in paediatric plain chest radiographs. Method: A total of 200 paediatric chest radiographs (≤ 18 years) were retrospectively assessed for... more
Objective : To assess the adequacy of x-ray beam collimation as a parameter for radiation protection in paediatric plain chest radiographs. Method: A total of 200 paediatric chest radiographs (≤ 18 years) were retrospectively assessed for good collimation practice as a means of radiation protection. Parameters assessed on the technique of collimation were the presence of silver lining as an evidence of x-ray beam collimation according to the European guideline on quality criteria for diagnostic radiographic images. Result: Of the 200 radiographs assessed for adequacy of x-ray beam collimation, 79.0% (n=158) showed evidence of adequate beam collimation while, 21.0% (n=42) were inadequately collimated. The results of the study showed adequate beam collimation practice in the Radiology department of the centre studied. Conclusion : The adequacy of x-ray beam collimation as parameter for radiation protection in paediatric plain chest radiographs was assessed. Majority of the paediatric ...
Research Interests: Medicine and Radiography
Objective: To link the greyscale appearance of radiographic artefacts with their origin, with a view to understanding and minimizing their occurrence. Materials and Methods: A formula was used to establish a minimum sample size of 400... more
Objective: To link the greyscale appearance of radiographic artefacts with their origin, with a view to understanding and minimizing their occurrence. Materials and Methods: A formula was used to establish a minimum sample size of 400 radiographs out of a population of 5500 radiographs produced between January 2013 and June, 2013. On a daily basis within the study period, all radiographs approved for reporting by the quality control radiographer with over 10 years' experience were scrutinized prospectively by the researchers with the aid of a giant 100 cm × 50 cm viewing box with brightness adjustment, until 400 artefactual radiographs were eventually isolated. The nature, greyscale appearance and origin of artefacts were arrived at by consensus and documented. Divergence in opinion and ambiguous artefacts were resolved through observation of radiographers and darkroom assistants at work, as well as darkroom simulations. The data on subdivision of artefacts was done using simple statistics. Result: 400 radiographs out of a population of 5500 were sampled for the study. Twelve specific artefacts were isolated and categorized into three distinct appearances of black, white and grey. Preprocessing, processing and postprocessing were established as a broad classification for artefacts. Dispersed dots emanating from preprocessing (grey) and occurring in cassettes had the highest frequency of 140 (35%) while grid lines, n = 3 (0.8%) was the least noted. Conclusion: All black artefacts arise during the preprocessing stage while processing and postprocessing have the middle-course greyscale appearance of artefacts.
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ABSTRACT
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Background of the Study: Apart from deterioration due to aging, very often lead aprons are damaged due to poor handling. Without quality control these lead aprons will, with time contribute significantl y to radiation burden of the... more
Background of the Study: Apart from deterioration due to aging, very often lead aprons are damaged due to poor handling. Without quality control these lead aprons will, with time contribute significantl y to radiation burden of the wearer. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective feature of lead aprons used in radi ology department performed at federal public hospital s by analysing quantitative and qualitative variety o f methods including objective quality control. Materials and Methods: Forty seven (47) protective lead aprons used in Radiology departments was analyzed. All aprons were identified and registered according to types, thickness of the lead inside th e aprons or its equivalent, by how long it has been used, its storage conditions and cleanliness. Radio graphs of the aprons were taken using X-ray units and (35cm X 43cm or 35cm X35cm) films or phosphor storage plates. The radiographs were evaluated in terms of holes, cracks and other defects that we re contained in their structures. Measurement of sizes of defects were taken using ruler and compared with standard rejection criteria. Results: regarding their internal structures, 31 (65.96%) aprons were not defected (free of defect) and 16 (34.04%) were defected. Cracks accounted for 9(56.25%) and hole 7(43.75%) of the total 16 defected lead aprons. And regarding quality control , only 9% of the aprons were periodically checked on annual basis and 72% of the lead aprons were not checked at all. It was also observed that 31(66%) o f
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Background: The increased sophistication of modern radiology equipment came with reduced size, improved diagnostic accuracy and speed, but no corresponding guarantee of durability (Agwu & Okeji, 2009). Significant component deterioration... more
Background: The increased sophistication of modern radiology equipment came with reduced size, improved diagnostic accuracy and speed, but no corresponding guarantee of durability (Agwu & Okeji, 2009). Significant component deterioration or human error and other faults may result (Colligan and Mills, 1997) if quality control checks, planned preventive measures and an attitude of prompt repairs are not in place (Agwu and Okeji, 2009). OBJECTIVE: To determine the challenges of equipment downtime management in the selected hospital by: i. establishing the types of equipment installed; ii. the specific downtime of each equipment; iii. eliciting response from Radiographers who operate the equipment. Methodology: A survey of three teaching hospitals and twenty Radiographers was carried out. Questionnaire was used to elicit responses from the Radiographers. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15. Result: Installed machines were X-Ray, mammography, fluoroscopic units, CT Scanners, MRI scan...
ABSTRACT The measurement of x-rays and gamma radiation has presented some technical challenges since its discovery. Different dose-measuring devices known as dosimeters are employed for detection and measurement of radiation and exposure... more
ABSTRACT The measurement of x-rays and gamma radiation has presented some technical challenges since its discovery. Different dose-measuring devices known as dosimeters are employed for detection and measurement of radiation and exposure from x-rays. These dosimeters may be classified either as field survey instruments or personnel monitoring devices. Personnel monitoring is recommended whenever a possibility exists that an individual will receive more than 1/10 of the recommended dose limit as a result of his or her occupational activities. The “erythema dose” which is the amount of radiation required to produce reddening of the skin was for many years the major dosimetric method for evaluating the effects of radiation treatment. Biologic variability and lack of an objective measure of “reddening” was the major problem with this technique. In his initial studies, Rontgen used blackening of a photographic emulsion (i.e. film) as a dosimeter but it was soon discovered that non-linear...
Ultrasound is a very important imaging modality in the management of antenatal cases. Its utilization by expectant mothers is largely dependent on how necessary they think it is. This study aims at determining the level of awareness of... more
Ultrasound is a very important imaging modality in the management of antenatal cases. Its utilization by expectant mothers is largely dependent on how necessary they think it is. This study aims at determining the level of awareness of the need for ultrasound scan amongst antenatal patients. A structured questionnaire on maternal biometrics and level of awareness was used as instrument for data collection and the results analyzed using descriptive statistics. Out of the 218 respondents, 96.3% (n = 201) knew about ultrasound. 69% (n = 152) received the information from the antenatal clinic. The major reason for undergoing an ultrasound scan was to check for fetal well-being and rule out complications in pregnancy. Parity significantly influenced women’s choices as they were more likely to go for and not turn down an ultrasound referral if they had more children. Ante-natal patients in our centre showed a commendable degree of knowledge on the need for antenatal ultrasound scan, a pointer towards the positive impact maternal health awareness is having among the pregnant population. This will help in neutralizing cultural and religious barrier in assessing ultrasound scan.
Research Interests: Obstetrics, Ultrasound, Medicine, Population, Northern Nigeria, and 3 moreParity, Antenatal, and Referral
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Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice of Non-accidental injuries (NAI) among radiographers practising within Maiduguri Metropolis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire to elicit information on... more
Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice of Non-accidental injuries (NAI) among radiographers practising within Maiduguri Metropolis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire to elicit information on knowledge and practice of imaging children with Non-accidental injuries. The information elicited from the questionnaire related to the following themes: Demographic characteristics, knowledge and practice of imaging children with NAI. Informed consent was sought from participants. Descriptive statistics (mean, frequencies) were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 45 questionnaires were distributed to radiographers, and 36 (100%) were completed and returned. A total of 23 (63.9%) were males and 13 (36.1%) were females. The majority 34 (94.4%) of the respondents had good knowledge of NAI. Skeletal survey was the examination commonly requested in children with NAI as reported by 23 (63.9%) respondents, and the majority of the participants 31 (...
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In a world that has been affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the idea of keeping ICRP recommendations fit for purpose is one whose time has come! However, the idea of keeping the ICRP recommendations fit for purpose cannot be... more
In a world that has been affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the idea of keeping ICRP recommendations fit for purpose is one whose time has come! However, the idea of keeping the ICRP recommendations fit for purpose cannot be achieved in isolation without a global North-South collaboration. Radiation protection experts from the global North who are versatile in the science and practice of radiation protection will have to collaborate with those from the global South and end-users to ensure that the system of radiological protection designed by ICRP to protect patients, workers, the public and the environment meets the need of endusers and produces the desired impact. End-users of radiation protection all work in diverse settings and contexts. Hence, the application of ICRP recommendations may vary for those in conflict and fragile settings who are often a neglected group. Authors of this paper who also work in conflict and fragile settings argue that there is a need for greate...