Is there over utilization of chest radiography at the primary health care level in Bahrain

It had been our impression that there was over utilization of x-ray particularly chest radiography, at the primary health care level in Bahrain. Accordingly, we studied the chest radiographs of a health centre's patient population [Shaikh Sabah Health Centre] over a period of 6 months [Jan-June, 1986]. Out of the 291 chest radiographs studied only 45 [15.46%] were positive. Therefore, strict criteria for chest radiography should be established locally to minimize the cost of patient care and to reduce radiation dose to the general population