Objectives : This study aimed to determine the levels of Radiation Protection Knowledge, Attitude, and Exposure Anxiety among operating room nurses and to identify the factors influencing their Radiation Protective Behavior. Specifically, the research...
Objectives : This study aimed to determine the levels of Radiation Protection Knowledge, Attitude, and Exposure Anxiety among operating room nurses and to identify the factors influencing their Radiation Protective Behavior. Specifically, the research sought to identify predictors of High Compliance by dichotomizing the protective behavior score (total 50 points) based on the upper 10%(49~50 points).
Methods : This was a cross-sectional study conducted on a total of 150 operating room nurses from two university hospitals in the Seoul metropolitan area. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient. Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis was performed to identify the major influencing factors, utilizing the protective behavior score dichotomized into 0~48 points and 49~50 points.
Results : The mean score for radiation protective behavior was 38.9 points (out of 50). The lowest performed item was wearing a TLD badge (2.4 points out of 5). There were significant positive correlations between Knowledge and Attitude(r=0.33, p<0.001) and between Exposure Anxiety and Protective Behavior(r=0.22, p=0.01). However, Knowledge and Attitude showed no significant correlation with Protective Behavior. Multiple logistic regression analysis(Final Model) revealed that Education Level(Master’s degree of higher) was the sole significant factor influencing High Compliance. Nurses with a Master’s degree of higher were 37.00 times more likely to perform high-level protective behavior than those with a 3/4-year degree(95% CI 3.41-402.03). Conversely, Knowledge, Attitude, and Exposure Anxiety were not significant factors.
Conclusions : The radiation protective behavior of operating room nurses is determined by professional characteristics(education) and structural factors rather than individual cognitive factors(Knowledge / Attitude / Anxiety). Therefore, systemic structural intervention is essential for promoting protective behavior, focusing on the removal of physical and environmental barriers such as heavy equipment(77.3% response rate) and the implementation of institutional support, including individual TLD badge provision and - 42 performance inspection.
Key words : Operating Room Nurse, Radiation Protective Behavior, Radiation Protection Knowledge, Radiation Protection Attitude, Radiation Exposure Anxiety