Factors that affect Teaching and Learning among Undergraduate Radiography Students in two Nigerian Universities.

Objectives: To understand undergraduate radiography students’ perception on effective teaching and learning. Methods: Two hundred (200) radiography students from different academic levels of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus and University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, were enlisted.  Self-completion semi- structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from students on their perception of the teaching methods employed by lecturers. Results: Results revealed that factors such as teaching methods, lecturers’ knowledge of the subject,  their disposition at lectures, use of clear concepts and their practical applications, learning environment, use of visual teaching aids, and use of non-judgmental feedback on students’ work can influence effective learning. Other influencing factors included workload and lecture scheduling, student academic level, age, gender and availability of facilities. Conclusion: The academic performance of students is not only influenced by the lecturer’s knowledge of the subject but also the method used, available facilities, the age and academic level of the students.    &nbsp

Artefactual Behaviour of Fluid in Radiographic Darkroom Practice

Background: Before the advent of computed and digital radiography, radiographs were processed in a lighttight darkroom. In spite of advancement in technology which enables film processing without the intermediary of the conventional darkroom, many radiographic centres worldwide, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, still carry out darkroom processing. Liquid chemicals are involved, and their misuse may result in artefacts on the processed radiographs. Objective: To investigate the artefactual abilities of common darkroom fluids on x-ray films (unprocessed) and radiographs (processed) in a centre transiting from darkroom to computed radiography.Methods: A total of five thousand, five hundred (5,500) radiographs produced between January to June 2013, and retrieved from the archive were scrutinized retrospectively, with the aid of a viewing box until those withfluid-induced artefacts were identified and isolated. The nature, grayscale appearance and origin of artefacts were arrived at by consensus of the researchers and documented. Divergence in opinion or ambiguous artefacts was resolved through darkroom simulations. Data was analyzed with a simple calculator. Results: Sixty-one (1.1 %) radiographs with fluid-induced artefacts were noted. Developer caused black artefacts while fixer, water and grease all caused different hue of grey artefacts. Only grease caused artefacts after processing whereas other fluids were inert on them. Water-induced artefacts, as a result of stuck films in the automatic processor had the highest frequency (n = 21; 34.4 %) while water-bed artefact was rare (n = 1; 2 %). The stages at which artefacts were introduced were noted as pre-processing, processing and postprocessing, respectively.Conclusion: All four investigated darkroom fluids are potential artefactual agents. A knowledge of their distinct characteristics on films and radiographs may help to reduce distractions during reporting, as well as serve as guide to effective remedial actions during subsequent darkroom processing

Perception of Sister Health Professionals about Radiography Profession in Nigeria

Objective To investigate the perception of sister professional groups in Nigeria towards radiography profession. Methods: Questionnaires were used to survey the opinions of 160 healthcare professionals from five professional groups. The respondents scored radiographers on some characteristics of professional occupations. Results: Only in education was radiography scored 70.0 % and above by respondents. The range of scores in other areas was 55 – 65 %. Conclusion: Nigerian radiographers need to strive harder to improve public perception on many indices.     &nbsp

Quality Control of Conventional X-Ray Tube in Three Tertiary Hospitals in South-East, Nigeria

Background:Quality control of conventional x-ray tube ensures that the patient integral radiation dose is minimized and image quality is improved, by controlling the x-ray beam to reduce scatter radiation.  Objective:To assess x-ray tubes for half value layer (HVL), x-ray field and light field congruence using known standard. Methodology:The HVLs were measured using calibrated, non-invasive, digital multifunctional detector meter that incorporate computer output. The detector was positioned at the center of the collimated beam axis with focus-to-image distance (FID) of 100 cm. Tube potentials of 80 and 100 kVp were selected, and used to make exposures. The corresponding HVLs were then recorded. Also, x-ray field and light field congruence were measured by placing 18 cm x 24 cm cassette loaded with film at FID of 100 cm. The collimator light was in ON position and metal markers were used to delineate the periphery of the light field. Misalignment was calculated from the developed radiographs using standard formula. Results:The HVL ranged from 3.40 to 4.4mmAl. Also, the sum of the misalignment in both orthogonal directions ranged from 7.21 to 9.70 % of FID in all three centers. Conclusion:The HVL were within standard limit at 80 and 100 kVp in all the centers studied. However, x-ray field and light field were grossly misaligned.   &nbsp

Computed tomography scanner census and adult head dose in Nigeria

Background: Inspite of potential detriment from computed tomography (CT) procedures, there is increasing installation and use of the medical imaging modality in Nigeria. Computed tomography dose monitoring and reporting have however, not received commensurate attention. Objective: To carry out a census of CT scanners in Nigeria and, to assess a representative sample for dose. Methodology: A physical count of the scanners was done using radiographers spread across the country. Twenty of those scanners were then assessed for head dose using volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol), and dose-length product (DLP) extracted retrospectively and manually from the operating console. The mean, as well as the 75th percentile, were then calculated for all subjects with the aid of statistical packages for the social sciences (SPSS), version 20.0. Results: A total of 183 CT scanners were installed in Nigeria as at March 2018. A huge number of these (57.4%, n = 105) belonged to private investors while the federal and state governments jointly owned 78 scanners (42.6%). The Christian-dominated South had far more scanners installed (n = 116) than the Muslim-dominated North and FCT (n = 67). Three states in northern Nigeria had no single scanner installed. A sizeable number (83%, n = 151) of the scanners were functional as at March 2018. The CT dose was assessed using scanners from General Electric (GE), Toshiba, Philips, Siemens and Neusoft. CereTom was the only model left out due to low distribution and inaccessibility. The slice capacity ranged from 4 to 128. Tube potential was uniform (120 kVp) in the centres while tube current was within a narrow range (200–250 mA). The dose for head investigation amongst the adult population had a mean/75th percentile of 57/63 mGy (CTDIvol) and 1336/1431 mGy·cm (DLP), respectively. This is fairly comparable to a similar work from Kenya but higher than the recommendations of the European Commission. Conclusion: Computed tomography scanners distinctly located in Nigeria were 183. The first installation in the country was in 1987, suggestive of an annual average of 6 installations. Dose from different facilities showed wide variations. The establishment of national diagnostic reference levels (nDRLs) to reduce arbitrariness in dose administration is imperative. While this is awaited, radiographers have a moral and ethical obligation to pay more attention to optimization of patient protection. Keywords: CT scanners, Dose, CTDI, DLP, Optimization, CT censu

Investigación de la histerosalpingografía frente al riesgo de dosis de radiación de las pacientes

Background: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a useful radiographic investigation involving the use of contrast medium for the management of infertility in females. It is however, not only a costly procedure but it is also a semi-invasive procedure and carries some radiation risks. One principle of radiation protection is justification of practice which means that the overall benefit of the procedure should outweigh the radiation risks. The aim of this study was to determine justification of HSG procedure by assessing the rate and pattern of pregnancy success among infertile women who underwent HSG procedures at a tertiary hospital in South Eastern Nigeria between 2016 and 2020. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of a sample of 222 women, aged 20-46years (mean 32.55 ±8.16years) who underwent HSG examination at the hospital between 2016 and 2020 was made. The data of eligible subjects were collected from the archives of radiology department of the hospital. Results: The result showed that 121 (54.5%) out of 222 of the patients achieved pregnancy with proper follow up infertility management. Of the 121, 48(39.67%) were in the 25-29 years age group and 35(28.93%) in the 30-34years age group. The commonest pathology found was uterine fibroid 71(32.0%), followed by tubal blockage, 42(18.92%) while the least occurring pathology was salpingitis isthmica nodosa 1(0.45%). Conclusion: There was a strong positive correlation between the age of patient, the HSG findings and the rate of pregnancy success. The procedure is justified in all the age groups except for the >45years group.Antecedentes: La histerosalpingografía (HSG) es una investigación radiográfica útil que implica el uso de un medio de contraste para el tratamiento de la infertilidad en las mujeres. Sin embargo, no sólo es un procedimiento costoso, sino que también es un procedimiento semiinvasivo y conlleva algunos riesgos de radiación. Uno de los principios de la protección radiológica es la justificación de la práctica, lo que significa que el beneficio global del procedimiento debe superar los riesgos de la radiación. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la justificación del procedimiento de HSG mediante la evaluación de la tasa y el patrón de éxito del embarazo entre las mujeres infértiles que se sometieron a procedimientos de HSG en un hospital terciario en el sudeste de Nigeria entre 2016 y 2020. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal retrospectivo de una muestra de 222 mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre 20 y 46 años (media de 32,55 ± 8,16 años) que se sometieron a un examen HSG en el hospital entre 2016 y 2020. Los datos de los sujetos elegibles se recogieron de los archivos del departamento de radiología del hospital. Resultados: El resultado mostró que 121 (54,5%) de 222 de las pacientes lograron el embarazo con un seguimiento adecuado de la gestión de la infertilidad. De las 121, 48 (39,67%) pertenecían al grupo de edad de 25-29 años y 35 (28,93%) al de 30-34 años. La patología más frecuente fue el mioma uterino 71 (32,0%), seguido de la obstrucción tubárica 42 (18,92%), mientras que la patología menos frecuente fue la salpingitis ístmica nodosa 1 (0,45%). Conclusiones: Existe una fuerte correlación positiva entre la edad de la paciente, los resultados de la HSG y la tasa de éxito del embarazo. El procedimiento está justificado en todos los grupos de edad excepto en el de >45 años