Radiation Safety: What Do Healthcare Workers in Addis Ababa Really Know?

In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, medical imaging plays a big role in healthcare. But how much do the people who work in nuclear medicine know about radiation safety? This is a big question. It's not just about the machines and buildings. It's also about what the workers know, how they feel, and what they do. Radiation is a big deal. It can be harmful if not handled right. So, it's important for healthcare workers to know how to protect themselves and their patients. But do they? That's what this study wanted to find out. The study looked at three things: knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). First, knowledge. Do the workers know the basics of radiation safety? Second, attitude. Do they think it's important? Third, practice. Do they actually follow safety rules? The results showed that knowledge was okay, but not great. Some workers knew the basics, but many didn't know enough. Attitude was better. Most workers thought radiation safety was important. But practice was the biggest problem. Many workers didn't follow safety rules as much as they should. Why is this happening? Maybe it's because of a lack of training. Or maybe it's because workers are too busy. Whatever the reason, it's a problem that needs to be fixed. Because radiation safety is not just about rules. It's about keeping people safe.