A SURVEY STUDY OF RADIATION PROTECTION AWARENESS AMONG RADIOLOGY TECHNICIANS IN MOGADISHU, SOMALIA.

We investigate the ionizing radiation exposure awareness and subject matter knowledge among clinical radiology technicians working in state and private hospitals in Mogadishu, Somalia. Research data are collected via face to face interviews with a prepared questionnaire performed between April and May 2018 in Mogadishu, Somalia. A total of 61 clinical radiology technicians working in 10 state and private hospitals in Mogadishu volunteered to be part of this study. Among the participants, awareness of the harmful effects of ionizing radiation and sufficient subject matter knowledge were lacking. In addition, radiation protection equipment during radiological examinations were not adequately used by clinical radiology technicians. Our results indicate a necessity to retrain and improve the technician education curriculum before and after graduation to create a safer environment both for hospital staff and patients during radiological examinations.