Patient Doses in CT and Radiography in Africa

Abstract

There is increasing use of computed tomography (CT) scanning in Africa. However, there had been lack of information on patient doses in CT scanning and radiography in large part of Africa. Through the projects of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and some independent work, significant information is now available from many countries. The first multinational dose survey in radiography from the countries from which information is currently available showed that doses to adult patients (in terms of ESAK) are not higher than the currently established DRLs. The data with regard to radiation doses in CT indicates that there are some hospitals where adult exposure factors are being used for scanning of children. Further to that, many hospitals have CTDI_w values below DRLs while some DLP values exceeded DRLs. The CT machines vary from single slice to multi-slice with limited maintenance and QC routines. This study has created awareness, provided training on monitoring of radiation doses as the most challenging issues in many countries in Africa

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