FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Radiol Ultrasound / Knowledge and practice of radiation safety in Brazilian equi...
Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2023; doi: 10.1111/vru.13306

Knowledge and practice of radiation safety in Brazilian equine veterinarians are less than optimal: An online survey.

Abstract: Exposure to ionizing radiation is an occupational risk for veterinarians due to the potential for carcinogenesis, reproductive disorders, cataracts, and hereditary genetic changes. This survey study aimed to identify the radiological protection practices routinely used by veterinarians who work with portable digital X-ray equipment in horses in Brazil and assess their knowledge regarding current legislation. A total of 120 voluntary participation questionnaires were sent to veterinarians who used portable digital radiographic equipment in horses nationwide. The frequencies of the answers were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression models. Thirty-five veterinarians responded (29% response rate). Of these, there was a greater participation of professionals in public institutions (40%, 14/35, p < .001), with 69% from the southeast region (24/35, p < .001) and 69% (24/35, p = .028) being male. We found that self-employed veterinarians had a higher odds ratio (OR) (9.00; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.39-58.44]; p = .021) of not using personal protective equipment compared with those in professional public institutions. In addition, not knowing the current legislation Collegiate Directorate Resolution 611/22 was a potential risk factor for lower radiological protection (OR, 8.00; 95% CI, [0.79-81.33]; p = 0.079). In conclusion, findings indicated that Brazilian equine veterinarians generally do not adopt adequate radiological protection against ionizing radiation during radiographic examinations and have low knowledge of the current legislation. Results can be used as background for the formulation of specific radiation protection guidelines for veterinarians and incentive educational and training strategies to reduce risks inherent to occupational exposure.
© 2023 American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-10-18 PubMed ID: 37850510DOI: 10.1111/vru.13306Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article focuses on the practices of radiation safety among equine veterinarians in Brazil who use portable digital X-ray equipment. The study found that these professionals often don’t adequately protect themselves against harmful ionizing radiation during their work, and they typically have a limited understanding of relevant radiation protection laws.

Study Overview

  • This survey-based research aimed to assess the knowledge of current legislation and routine practices of radiation safety among equine veterinarians in Brazil.
  • The target group was those veterinarians who frequently use digital portable X-ray equipment in their practices.
  • Using a total of 120 voluntary participation questionnaires, the study examined the common practices and knowledge of these professionals.

Methodology and Response Data

  • The study used chi-square tests and logistic regression models to analyze the compiled data.
  • The response rate was low, with only 35 out of 120 sent questionnaires responded to, resulting in a 29% response rate.
  • The majority of the respondents were from public institutions and the southeast region of Brazil. Also, a larger percentage of male professionals participated.

Key Findings

  • The study found that self-employed veterinarians were nine times as likely not to use personal protective equipment as compared to those working in public institutions.
  • Another significant finding was the lack of knowledge regarding current legislature – Collegiate Directorate Resolution 611/22 – presenting a potential risk factor towards lower radiological protection.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The research concluded that there is a prevalent issue of inadequate radiological protection and lack of legislative knowledge among Brazilian equine veterinarians.
  • These findings can serve as a basis for formulating specific radiation protection guidelines targeting veterinarians.
  • Armed with these findings, strategies for education and training to mitigate the risks of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation can be developed.

Cite This Article

APA
Granella MCS, Souza AF, Zoppa ALDV. (2023). Knowledge and practice of radiation safety in Brazilian equine veterinarians are less than optimal: An online survey. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13306

Publication

Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
ISSN: 1740-8261
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Granella, Milena Carol Sbrussi
  • Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Souza, Anderson Fernando de
  • Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Zoppa, André Luís do Valle De
  • Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

References

This article includes 27 references
  1. Mikkelsen MA, Ottesen N, Knutsen BH, Søvik Å. Lack of radioprotection knowledge and compliance in Norwegian equine ambulatory practice.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2019; 60(3):265-272.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12704google scholar: lookup
  2. Widmer WR, Shaw SM, Thrall DE. Effects of low-level exposure to ionizing radiation: current concepts and concerns for veterinary workers.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 1996; 37(3):227-239.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.1996.tb01225.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  3. Epp T, Waldner C. Occupational health hazards in veterinary medicine: physical, psychological, and chemical hazards.. Can Vet J 2012; (7):151-157.
    pmc: PMC3258828
  4. Freitas FP, Koehncke NK, Waldner CL, Belotta A, Lanovaz J, Mayer MN. A 7-min video training intervention improves worker short-term radiation safety behavior during small animal diagnostic radiography.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2021; 62(1):27-36.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12927google scholar: lookup
  5. Milacic S. The incidence of malignant neoplasms in individuals working in areas of ionizing radiation in hospitals.. J BUON 2008; 13(3):377-384.
  6. CNEN. NN-3.01 Basic Guidelines for Radiological Protection.. Brazil. 2014; Resolution: 22. Accessed May 11, 2022.
  7. CNEN. Radioprotection services CNEN Resolution 231/2018.. Brazil. 2018; 18:1-17. Accessed May 11, 2022.
  8. CNEN. NN-3.01/002 Weighting factors for radiological protection quantities.. Brazil. Published April 2018. Accessed August 20, 2022.
  9. Brazil Secretaria de Vigilância Sanitária do Ministério da Saúde. “Diretrizes de proteção radiológica em radiodiagnóstico médico e odontológico” Portaria n° 453, de 1° de junho de 1998.. Diário Oficial da União da República Federativa do Brasil Brasília, 1998. Accessed December 9, 2022.
  10. Ministry of Health. Resolution RDC no 611, of March 9, 2022.. Diario of the Union 2022. 51:107 p.
  11. CNEN. NN 3.01 Basic guidelines for radiological protection.. Com Nac Energ Nucl 2005; 05(27):1-24. Accessed September 17, 2022.
  12. Surjan Y, Ostwald P, Milross C, Warren-Forward H. Radiation safety considerations and compliance within equine veterinary clinics: results of an Australian survey.. Radiography 2015; 21(3):224-230.
    doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2014.11.007google scholar: lookup
  13. Belotta AF, Mayer MN, Waldner CL. Radiation safety practices among Canadian equine veterinary workers during diagnostic procedures with portable X-ray equipment.. Can Vet J 2021; 62(4):349-355.
    pmc: PMC7953936
  14. Mayer MN, Koehncke NK, Taherian AC, Waldner CL. Self-reported use of X-ray personal protective equipment by Saskatchewan veterinary workers.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2019; 254(3):409-417.
  15. The Jamovi Project. Published 2021. Accessed August 28, 2022. https://www.jamovi.org
  16. Navarro DJ, Foxcroft DR. Learning Statistics with Jamovi.. Learn Stat with Jamovi: A Tutor Psychol Students Other Beginners 2022; 1-583. Published online.
  17. Chang HJ, Huang KC, Wu CH. Determination of sample size in using central limit theorem for Weibull distribution.. Int J Inf Manag Sci 2006; 17(3):31-46.
  18. Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. Act and regulations on radiation protection and use of radiation.. 2000, 36: 1-58. Accessed August 28, 2022.
  19. The French Transport and Sources Department TFNSA. Summary of inspections conducted in 2012 in the mobile veterinary equine sector in France.. 2014. Accessed August 29, 2022.
  20. Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. Radiation Safety in Veterinary X-ray Examinations.. 2012.1-14 pp. Accessed November 02, 2022.
  21. Belotta AF, Mayer MN, Koehncke NK, Freitas JCFP, Waldner CL. Survey of self-reported radiation safety practices among North American veterinary technicians involved in equine radiography using portable X-ray equipment.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021; 259(8):919-926.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.259.8.919google scholar: lookup
  22. Jensen M, Hewson J, Chalmers H, Jones-Bitton A, Singh A. Most students have experience making radiographs prior to veterinary school but have limited radiation safety training.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2022; 63(2):131-137.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.13065google scholar: lookup
  23. Head of the European Radiological Protection Competent Authorities. Guidelines on radiation protection education and training of veterinary professionals.. Published May, 2017. Accessed November 02, 2022.
  24. Toma B. European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education: inf.. Eur Assoc Establ Vet Educ Glas, UK. Published 1992. Accessed September 16, 2022.
  25. Brazil Ministério da Educação Conselho Nacional de Educação/Câmara de Educação Superior. National Curricular Guidelines of the Undergraduate Course in Veterinary Medicine.. 2019; 2019:5-10. Accessed September 17, 2022.
  26. Tyson R, Smiley DC, Pleasant RS, Daniel GB. Estimated operator exposure for hand-holding portable X-ray units during imaging of the equine distal extremity.. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2011; 52(2):121-124.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2010.01754.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  27. Ellis KL, Morton AJ, Hernandez JA, Winter MD. Radiation exposure to personnel obtaining equine appendicular radiographs using a handheld generator.. J Equine Vet Sci 2019; 73:70-74.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.11.013google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.