en Radiation Biology Radiation Biology تحقيق بديع Original Research <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="text-justify:newspaper"><span style="text-kashida-space:50%"><span style="line-height:119%"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:black"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#1f497d"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span style="language:en-US">Background</span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#1f497d"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span style="language:en-US">:</span></span></span></span></span> <span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="language:en-US">The Background: To assess the radiation protection and radiation monitoring practices among medical radiation workers (MRWs) in Malaysian hospitals, and to identify demographic and occupational factors influencing the consistent use of radioprotective garments and dosimeters. </span></span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#1f497d"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span style="language:en-US">Materials and Methods</span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#1f497d"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span style="language:en-US">:</span></span></span></span></span> <span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="language:en-US">A link to an online survey was distributed to MRWs with the help of research coordinators at participating hospitals. A total of 387 respondents answered the online survey between April and June 2019. They reported the consistency with which they used radioprotective garments, dosimeters and other protective measures, together with the reasons for inconsistency. We then compared consistent and inconsistent groups by demographic and occupational data. </span></span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#1f497d"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span style="language:en-US">Results</span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#1f497d"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span style="language:en-US">: </span></span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="language:en-US">The respondents exhibited excellent adherence to radiation protection but showed poor adherence to radiation monitoring. The main reasons for non-use of radioprotective garments were inadequate items and the need to prioritize others. Forgetfulness and fear of losing dosimeters were the common reasons for the non-consistent use of monitoring devices. Radiologists were the most consistent group using radioprotective garments compared to other job positions (p<.050). Middle-aged respondents were more consistent in using radioprotective aprons than younger respondents (p<.005). Work schedule, institution and gender also influenced the consistency of using radioprotective garments and dosimeters. </span></span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#1f497d"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span style="language:en-US">Conclusion</span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#1f497d"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span style="language:en-US">:</span></span></span></span></span> <span lang="en-US" style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="language:en-US">There is an urgent need to improve the personal dosimeter adherence rate in this country and any shortage of radioprotective garments should be tackled immediately. Ultimately, it is crucial to understand the workers&rsquo; tasks and their safety measures to avoid underestimating occupational radiation exposure and risk.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div> medical radiation worker, radiation dosimeter, radiation protection, radioprotective apron, thyroid shield. 459 468 http://ijrr.com/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-1067&slc_lang=en&sid=1 S.F. Mohd Ridzwan 7900319475328460024260 7900319475328460024260 No Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia L. Fritschi 7900319475328460024261 7900319475328460024261 No School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin N. Bhoo-Pathy nirmala.bhoopathy@ummc.edu.my 7900319475328460024262 7900319475328460024262 Yes Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia