THE ASSESSMENT OF THE AWARENESS OF RADIATION WORKERS TO RADIATION EXPOSURE RISK IN FEDERAL HOSPITALS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS

Radiation is the emission of energy through space or a material medium, used in modern medicine for diagnosis and therapeutic treatment. In healthcare settings, radiation exposure is a major problem, especially in federal government institutions and this research study assesses occupational radiation exposure among healthcare professionals, identifies factors contributing to high rates and provides insights for controlling hazardous effects and promoting a safer work environment. The study aims to assess radiation workers' awareness and sensitization, their handling of radiation equipment and materials, adherence to standard protocols and identify recommendations for improving safety. This research work was carried out using a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2024 to April 2024. Data was collected from 50 questionnaires from various radiological departments. The majority of the reports were written by men 33(66.0%), with the age range of 25-34 years old being the most common having a(72%)occurrence. The research study found that radiation workers have good awareness and sensitization of radiation exposures, good confidence in handling radiation equipment and radioactive materials but poor adherence to standard radiation protection protocols. Although educational campaigns and information dissemination strategies have been effective, the disconnect between awareness and adherence to safety guidelines suggests a need for targeted interventions.As radiation workers also showed disagreements about wearing personal protective equipment in radiation zones, the study also aims to improve radiation protection measures in federal hospitals and provide insights into current practices to ensure patient and healthcare personnel safety.