Preliminary study on the practice of gonad shielding during pelvic radiography

Objective: To investigate the practice and attitudes of Medical radiologic technologists (MRTs’)/radiographers on the use of Gonad shielding (GS)in pediatric radiological imaging. Methods: A questionnaire regarding MRTs’ attitudes and on the use of Gonad shielding was developed based on relevant literatures and distributed to MRTs/ radiographers working in general radiography at Black Lion and St. Paul hospitals in a study period from June to August 2014. Descriptive (percentage of frequency) study was used to analyze the responses of the multiple choices. A separate questionnaire was prepared to evaluate the practice of GS in these two hospitals. Results: The radiographers had shown a positive attitude towards using GS, however none of them used it in daily practice for a various reason such as (GS may obscure region of interest 11.1%, uncooperative patient 16.7%, too busy 13.9%, GS not available 27.8% and no appropriate size GS 27.8%). The investigators had also reviewed 94 abdominal-pelvic radiographs and none was taken with application of GS. Conclusion: Although the radiographers had a positive attitude, none of them had applied GS while taking plain radiographs and/or CT scan in and around the gonads. Updates on their knowledge on gonadal shielding and enforcing every medical imaging technologist to comply with hospital protocols are recommended. Correspondence to: Dr. SeifeTeferi, Assistance professor of Medical Physics Addis Ababa University College of Health sciences, school of medicine, Department of Radiology; Tel: +25192905456; E-mail: seifeteferi@yahoo.com