Entrance Surface Air Kerma for Chest X-ray Examination in some Diagnostic Radiologic Facilities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated patient doses in diagnostic radiology facilities in Akwa Ibom State. Patient doses were evaluated using equations and software. One thousand five hundred and forty one (1541) patients took part in the study. Eight hundred and six (52.3 %) were female while six hundred and thirty five were male patients. Sixty  percent (60 %) patients were of mean  age group below 50 years, and 40 % of the patients were of mean aged above 50 years, their mean body thickness  range between 6.5-8.0 Kg/m, their height range between 1.5-1.7 cm and mean body mass range between 43.2-82.0 Kg. The ESAK value obtained from the software ranged between (0.38-1.69) mGy for male and  female ESAK ranged (0.37-1.69) mGy while  0.015 – 0.091mGy for male nd 0.015- 0.095 mGy for female were obtained from equation. This study shows that, 6 facilities representing 66.6 % of the facilities recorded mean ESAK values that are within the UK range while only 3 facilities representing 33.3 % recorded ESAK higher than the UK range but within the Montenegro and Serbian range.  Mean ED (mSv) values obtained for the examinations in the different facilities show ED ranges of (0.03-0.12) mSv. The differences in mass and height of patients affect the ESAK value from equation because body thickness of the patient depends on body mass and height. Other reasons for this dose variation are chiefly human factor.