Abstract:
Background: Radiopharmaceutical procedures are integral for diagnostic and therapeutic practice
in modern medicine. Understanding knowledge, attitudes and practices on radiopharmaceuticals
among patients undergoing radiopharmaceutical procedures are essential for ensuring patient
safety and optimal outcomes.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices on radiopharmaceuticals among
patients undergoing radiopharmaceutical procedures and determine the associated demographic
factors
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling method
involving patients who were treated or diagnosed as cancer patients with radiopharmaceuticals
(n=384) at Nuclear Imaging Unit, teaching hospital, Karapitiya. A structured verbal questionnaire
developed by the investigator and validated by two experts was used. The scoring for the
questions was determined by giving one point for each correct answer and zero for incorrect or no
response answer based on literature. In knowledge, score ranges of 0-10 and 11-27 were
considered as poor and good. In attitudes and practices, score ranges of 0-4 and 5-8 were
considered as poor and good, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0.
Results: Among the study participants, 64.32% were females while 48.70% were within the 60-70
years age group and 72.4% had education up to G.C.E. O/L. Participant’s mean±SD knowledge
score was 12.51±3.25, attitude score was 5.28±1.47 and practice score was 6.59±1.29. Among
participants, 317(82.1%) had good knowledge, 285 (74.22%) had good attitudes, and 357(92.97%)
had good practices. The level of education (p=0.012) and gender (p=0.045) significantly
associated with knowledge, however, no associations were found between knowledge and age
(p=0.227), residence (p=0.160) and occupation (p=0.190). Attitudes for radiopharmaceuticals
differ significantly with respect to age (p=0.009), level of education (p=0.000) and occupation
(p=0.002). Gender (p=0.853), age (p=0.177), level of education (p=0.387), residence (p=0.851)
and occupation (p=0.238) showed no significant effect on practice. Of the participants 12.5% were
not aware that their bodies emit radiation after administration and 14.3% did not isolate
themselves from others until specified time.
Conclusion: Knowledge and attitude towards radiopharmaceutical procedures was satisfactory in
this target population and the majority had a good attitude towards the role played by healthcare
providers. Practices on radiopharmaceuticals were also satisfactory. However, health education
should be provided on emission of radiation after administration of the radiopharmaceuticals.
