Occupational hazards among medical radiation workers

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of occupational hazards among medical radiation workers in Northern Nigeria and to assess the adequacy of existing occupational safety measures in the region. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of 139 medical radiation workers in six tertiary health-care institutions in northern Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain vital information about the occurrence of occupational hazards, prevention and control measures. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using the computer software SPSS. Results: Out of 159 questionnaires distributed 139 were retrieved giving a response rate 87.4%. Stress, direct contact with bodily fluids, and contrast media splashes were the three most prevalent hazards reported by 121 (87.1%), 78 (56.1%), and 72 (51.8%), respectively. Conclusion: Medical radiation workers in Northern Nigeria face a wide range of occupational hazards, and therefore concerted efforts must be channeled toward mitigating these hazards

Normal Reference Values for Thyroid Uptake of Technetium-99m Pertechnetate for the Namibian Population

Objective: Historically; changes in normal thyroid uptake values for iodine have been reported in different geographical areas. These changes have been linked to geographical and chronological fluctuations in dietary iodine intake in different populations. Namibia is a country with mixed ethnicity; with access to dietary iodine in table salt. Despite historical reports on deviating normal thyroid uptake values (emphasising the importance of establishing local normal reference values); the relevant Namibian authorities have never revised these reference values; nor have local reference values been established. The aim of this study was to establish the normal reference values for thyroid uptake of technetium-99m pertechnetate in the Namibian population.Design: Participants who were considered to be euthyroid completed a questionnaire designed to exclude individuals with thyroid pathologies; as well as those with renal or heart disease.Settings and subjects: The study cohort consisted of 76 participants (58 women and 18 men); ranging in age from 39-81 years. The participants were of mixed ethnicity; consisting of Hereros; Ovambos; Damaras; Namas; Coloureds; Caucasians and other (non-Namibian immigrants); and were from Windhoek; Namibia. Studies were performed at the Windhoek Central Hospital.Outcome measures: Blood was drawn for thyroid hormone assessment. Participants were then given 100 MBq of technetium-99m pertechnetate intravenously; and their percentage thyroid uptake recorded after 20 minutes. Results: In this study; thyroid-stimulating hormone; triiodothyronine; and thyroxine levels were found to be 1.7 ?IU/ml; 4.9 pmol/ml and 10.3 pmol/ml; respectively. Analysis of the empirical data showed that the normal reference uptake value for technetium-99m pertechnetate in the studied population ranged between 0.04 .The fifth and 95th percentiles for pertechnetate uptake were 0.15; respectively.Conclusion: These results provide new evidence which supports the importance of periodical evaluation of normal thyroid uptake reference values for technetium-99m pertechnetate