Background: To assess awareness of ionizing radiation safety measures among Egyptian Urology Trainees and Urolo‑
gists and see the efect of radiation safety courses on the adoption of these measures.
Methods: This Internet‑based survey was conducted via https://www.surveymonkey.com/ after approval by the
Egyptian Urological Association (EUA). It was sent to all EUA members via email during December 2019. Participation
was voluntary and questions included participants’ demographics such as age, gender, years of experience, level of
training and type of practice. Other questions assessed some domains such as whether the participant had radiation
safety courses, and the extent to which she/he is adopting these measures during daily practice.
Results: A total of 142 Egyptian urology trainees and urologists responded to this electronic survey. The mean hours
of fuoroscopy‑guided endourologic procedures per week were 4.3± 2.1 h, and only 23% reported that they always
wear protective lead aprons. In terms of the thyroid shield, X‑ray protective gloves, eye googles, a total of 70% and
89% and 89% reported that they never wore it, respectively. The ALARA principle was known by only 24% of respond‑
ents. About 94% denied receiving any radiation safety courses. Participants who received radiation safety course
reported signifcantly shorter FT during URS (p= 0.04), PCNL (p= 0.03) and JJ insertion (p= 0.04) and were signif‑
cantly more compliant (p= 0.02). In addition, the number of years of experience (< 5y,5‑10y,10‑15y, > 15y) and the cur‑
rent job level (resident, specialist, consultant, professor) was signifcantly associated with higher compliance with lead
aprons (p= 0.006, p < 0.001, respectively). On regression analysis, previous radiation safety awareness courses were the
only predictor of good compliance with radiation safety measures (OR= 2± 0.73, p= 0.009).
Conclusion: There was a lack of awareness and implementation of radiation safety measures among all participants.
Receiving radiation safety courses was the only predictor of good compliance with radiation safety measures |
