RESUMO
Among healthcare workers, nurses are considered the core of healthcare auth-info services in healthcare facilities because of their responsibilities and duties toward patients. All healthcare professionals, especially nurses, must be completely knowledgeable about the hazards of ionizing radiation, and the most effective radiation protection techniques. This study assessed the attitude and awareness toward radiation protection among final-year nursing students in the Fatima College of Health Sciences (FCHS) campuses. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and April 2022. A total of 200 out of 224 female participants ranging from 18 to 30 years old agreed to participate in the study. The highest percentage of final-year nursing students did not attend any radiation protection course (52%). The results of the last section of the survey indicate a lack of awareness of basic radiation protection knowledge among final-year nursing students in FCHS campuses (less than 80%). The results showed a lack of knowledge and poor attitude toward radiation hazards and radiation protection from final-year nursing students in the FCHS. Formal education about basic radiation and radiation is recommended in the nursing program for safe clinical practice.
RESUMO
Radiologic examinations are valuable tools in the evaluation of COVID-19. A patient-centered care approach encourages patient involvement in decision-making related to their health management. Therefore, patients should have basic knowledge about their disease and its evaluation tools. Therefore, the purpose of this prospective study is to evaluate the public level of knowledge and awareness regarding COVID-19 and radiation safety in the UAE. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted using an online questionnaire (Google platform). The data collection instrument contained close-ended questions in both Arabic and English. The questions aimed to collect demographic information and to measure the level of knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 and radiation safety. The questionnaire was distributed online using different social media platforms. Results: A total of 1548 participants have completed the questionnaire; 84% were females and 16% were males. The participants' average age was 24 years. Sixty-eight percent of the participants showed a high level of awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic, while most of the participants (51%) only showed a low level in the radiation safety awareness section. Factors such as Emirates of residence and passively receiving awareness information were shown to predict knowledge and awareness level. Conclusions: The UAE public was found to have a high level of knowledge and awareness about the COVID-19 disease. However, the same could not be said about radiation safety. More effort should be put towards raising the public's knowledge and awareness about the risk of radiation in order to enable them to participate actively in decisions regarding the radiologic management of their disease.