Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate primary healthcare physicians’ attitudes and knowledge about radiation hazards, safety protocols, and protective measures in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This cross-sectional investigation involved primary health-care doctors practicing throughout the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was circulated via social media channels and within the region's primary healthcare centers (PHCs). The instrument gathered information on simple demographic factors-gender, medical specialty, and years in practice-along with twenty items measuring knowledge and six assessing attitudes.
Results: Of the 207 PHC-physicians (PHCPs), 60.4% (n=125) were males, and 187 (90.3%) were family physicians. Results showed that 50.2% (n=104) had poor knowledge, and 13.5% (n=40) had a negative attitude toward radiation hazards, protection, and safety. Increased attitude (p-value=0.001) and knowledge (p

Key words: Family physicians, primary healthcare, radiation, knowledge, attitude.