ASSESSMENT OF ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSES, DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS, AND CUMULATIVE DOSES IN RADIOTHERAPY STAFF AT USMAN DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOKOTO, NIGERIA

Abstract

The use of ionizing radiation in medicine has grown significantly worldwide, including in Nigeria. This study assessed occupational radiation exposure of personnel in the Radiotherapy department at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.To evaluate annual effective doses, individual distribution patterns, and collective effective doses among personnel.A retrospective study using Thermoluminescent Dosimetry (TLD) records from the past five years evaluated whole-body occupational exposure. The study covered personnel working with ionizing radiation in the Radiotherapy department. TLDs were read quarterly using a Harshaw dual-4500 TLD reader. Annual effective doses ranged from 0.25 mSv to 2.75 mSv for Administrative staff and Medical Physicists, respectively. Collective effective doses ranged from 8.58 man mSv to 90.09 man mSv. No Radiotherapist exceeded the 5 mSv or 10 mSv annual dose limit. No Radiologist received an annual effective dose exceeding the 20 mSv recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR).