Public Perceptions and Awareness of Radioactive Pollution

• Adnan A Frag Elgadaime

  College of Medical Technology, Department of Radiology, Derna, Libya

  Author

• Narjes Nasr Riheel

  College of Medical Technology, Department of Radiology, Derna, Libya

  Author

• Salwa Muftah Eljamay

  College of Medical Technology, Public Health Department, Derna, Libya

  Author

  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2834-8028

The demographic characteristics and knowledge of radiation and radioactive contamination among a sample of 215 individuals. The findings reveal a predominantly male sample (60.9%) with a significant concentration in the age range of 31-35 years (22.3%). 58.1% of participants have a university degree, indicating a highly educated cohort. Despite a general awareness of radiation (74.9%), knowledge about specific radiation types and sources of contamination is notably low, with only 23.7% aware of radioactive contamination. Additionally, a weak negative correlation (R, -0.122) between educational level and knowledge of radioactive contamination was identified, though this relationship was not statistically significant (p-value 0.074). The results highlight critical gaps in understanding specific aspects of radiation, underscoring the need for targeted educational interventions. Future research should aim for a more balanced demographic representation to enhance generalizability and further explore the intricacies of this relationship. Conclusion: a weak and non-significant negative correlation between knowledge of radioactive contamination and educational level. This suggests that educational interventions may need to be tailored to effectively increase awareness and understanding of radioactive contamination, regardless of the educational background of the individuals. Further research with a larger sample or different methodologies might be necessary to explore this relationship more deeply.

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