Purpose@#The aim of this study was to identify the factors explaining protective
behaviors against
radiation exposure in perioperative
nurses based on the
theory of planned behavior. @*
Methods@#This was a
cross-sectional study. A total of 229 perioperative
nurses participated between October 3 and October 20, 2021. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 23.0 and AMOS 23.0
software. The three exogenous variables (
attitude toward
radiation protective
behaviors, subjective norm, and perceived
behavioral control) and two endogenous variables (
radiation protective
intention and
radiation protective
behaviors) were surveyed. @*Results@#The hypothetical model fit the data (χ2/df = 1.18, SRMR = .02, TLI = .98, CFI = .99, RMSEA = .03).
Radiation protective
intention (β = .24, p = .001) and
attitude toward
radiation protective
behaviors (β = .32, p = .002) had direct effects on
radiation protective
behaviors. Subjective norm (β = .43, p = .002) and perceived
behavior control (β = .24, p = .003) had direct effects on
radiation protective
intention, which explained 38.0% of the variance. Subjective norm (β = .10, p = .001) and perceived
behavior control (β = .06, p = .002) had indirect effects via
radiation protective
intention on
radiation protective
behaviors.
Attitude toward
radiation protective
behaviors, subjective norm, and perceived
behavioral control were the significant factors explaining 49.0% of the variance in
radiation protective
behaviors. @*Conclusion@#This study shows that the
theory of planned behavior can be used to effectively predict
radiation protective
behaviors in perioperative
nurses.
Radiation safety guidelines or
education programs to enhance perioperative
nurses’ protective
behaviors should focus on
radiation protective
intention,
attitude toward
radiation protective
behaviors, subjective norm, and perceived
behavioral control.