K. ADAMBOUNOU*,**, G.D. HOUNDETOUNGAN***#, K.P. GBODJOME*,**, Y.A. AGBOBLI****, A. BATCHOUDI*, A.B KOUEVIDJIN*
https://www.doi.org/10.59277/RJB.2026.1.01
*Biophysics and Medical Imaging Departments, Campus Teaching Hospital, University of Lomé, Togo
**Radiology Department, Campus Teaching Hospital, University of Lomé, Togo
***Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine Teaching and Research Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
****CHU Sylvanus Olympio Lomé, Togo
The purpose of this study is to assess the practical implementation of radiation protection measures for workers in medical settings in Togo. This work is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from July 1 to December 31, 2020, in services utilizing ionizing radiation in both public and private health facilities in Togo. A total of 77 services (all radiology) using ionizing radiation were identified, with 127 devices (55 % conventional radiography) and 137 staff members (43.1 % technicians). Among the services, 21.5 % had rooms with a surface area of less than 20 m2, and 76.6 % of the rooms had solid brick walls. Service doors were made of wood in 32.5 % of the cases and aluminum in 19.5 % of the cases. Fewer than half (42.8 %) of these doors were lead-lined. Controlled zones were defined in 64.5 % of the cases, and 61.2 % of the services reported public zones. More than half of the services had warning pictograms (59.7 %) and light signage at room entrances (54.5 %), 11.7 % displayed regulations in controlled areas. Staff categorization was performed in 68.8 % of the cases, and 39 % of the services had staff dosimeters. Only 19.5 % of services conducted medical surveillance for their staff. The implementation level of radiation protection measures for workers exposed to ionizing radiation in medical environments is relatively unsatisfactory. Efforts must be made to ensure safer medical use of ionizing radiation in Togo.
Key words: Ionizing radiation, radiation protection, health personnel, Radiology Department, Togo
Corresponding author’s e-mail: fofodavid@yahoo.fr