JOPIC
Journal of Pulmonology and Intensive Care

The JoPIC is an independent-unbiased, peer-reviewed, and open-access journal of current national and international issues and reviews for original clinical and experimental research, interesting case reports, surgical techniques, differential diagnoses, editorial opinions, letters to the editor, and educational papers in pulmonology, thoracic surgery, occupational diseases, allergology, and intensive care medicine.

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Original Article
Assessment of radiation knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among hospital secretaries working near diagnostic imaging units
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to assess radiation-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and demand for radiation safety education among hospital secretaries, an occupational group frequently working in proximity to diagnostic imaging environments but rarely targeted by formal radiation safety programs.
Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study included hospital secretaries working in radiology, emergency, outpatient, and inpatient units. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, radiation knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, risk perception, and educational preferences. Knowledge, attitude, and behavior scores were calculated, and associations were evaluated using appropriate comparative tests, Spearman correlation analysis, and multivariable logistic regression.
Results: A total of 88 hospital secretaries were included. While awareness of general radiation risks was high (cancer risk: 86.4%; increased sensitivity during pregnancy: 89.8%), correct identification of non-ionizing imaging modalities was limited (magnetic resonance imaging: 48.9%; ultrasonography: 53.4%). None of the participants reported awareness of the ALARA principle. Attitude and behavior scores were consistently high across groups. Attitude score was moderately correlated with behavior score (? = 0.53), whereas knowledge score showed only weak correlations with attitude (? = 0.25) and behavior (? = 0.22). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, no independent predictors of demand for radiation safety education were identified.
Conclusion: Hospital secretaries demonstrate important gaps in modality-specific radiation knowledge despite favorable attitudes and self-reported safety behaviors. These findings highlight the need to extend structured, role-specific radiation safety education to hospital secretaries to strengthen occupational safety and promote a more inclusive radiation protection culture in healthcare settings.

Keywords : Radiation safety, hospital secretaries, occupational exposure, radiation awareness, education needs

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Article available in :
Volume 4, Issue 1, 2026
Page : 14-22
https://doi.org/10.51271/JOPIC-0073
Article Information
Received : 26 Ara 2025
Accepted : 02 Şub 2026
Published : 12 Şub 2026
Corresponding Author :

Davut Ünsal Çapkan: Department of Radiology, Medical Point Gaziantep Hospital, Gaziantep, Türkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Çapkan DÜ. Assessment of radiation knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among hospital secretaries working near diagnostic imaging units. J Pulmonol Intens Care. 2026;4(1):14-22.

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