Factors Influencing Endoscopy Nurses' Protective Behavior against Radiation Exposure

내시경실 간호사의 방사선피폭 방어행위에 영향을 미치는 요인

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify factors influencing endoscopy nurses' protective behavior against radiation exposure. Methods: Data were collected using self-report questionnaires from 122 endoscopy nurses in 21 hospitals located in Seoul, Gyeonggi province and six metropolitan cities in Korea. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program and included multiple regression analysis. Results: 1) There were significant relationships between protective behavior and protective environment (r=.74, p<.001), number of education sessions on radiation protection (r=.32, p<.001), number of protective devices (r=.28, p=.002), number of fellow nurses (r=.27, p=.003), and protective attitude (r=.18, p=.048). 2) Protective environment (${\beta}=0.79$, p<.001), type of hospital foundation (${\beta}=0.18$, p=.011) and marital status (${\beta}=-0.13$, p=.040) significantly predicted endoscopy nurses' protective behavior against radiation exposure (adjusted R square=.58, p<.001). The most powerful predictor for protective behavior against radiation exposure was a protective environment. Conclusion: Effective protective behavior of endoscopy nurses from radiation exposure requires improvement in their protective environment. Hospital administrators and managers should make efforts to increase protective facilities in endoscopy departments and provide endoscopy nurses with regular education on radiation protection.