Evaluation of radiation doses delivered to patients during conventional pelvis radiographic imaging in selected Nigerian hospitals

Diagnostic X-ray procedures remain the largest contributor to the population dose from man-made radiation sources; therefore, there is need for evaluation of the health risks connected with the use of ionizing radiation in X-ray examinations. The aim of this study is to investigate radiation dose in pelvis imaging procedures in some diagnostic centers in Southern part of Nigeria. Entrance Surface Air Kerma (ESAK) was calculated using exposure parameters obtained during examinations. A total of 160 adult patients undergoing pelvis AP radiography in nine (9) hospitals having ten X-ray centers were considered in the study. The mean ESAK calculated ranged from 1.08 to 16.16 mGy for pelvis AP and ranged from 1.15 to 10.06 mGy for pelvis LAT. Wide variations were found in the dose values obtained from various X-ray units even within the same center. The doses estimated in this study were found to be lower, when compared with the NRPB-HPA 2010 review for UK.