Analyses of background factors on allocating MRI scan duties to pregnant employees

Abstract

In the previous study, we sent 5763 questionnaires to facilities equipped with MRI devices in Japan in order to survey policies on allocating MRI scan duties to pregnant employees. This study analyzed background factors in decision processes of allocation, in particular, a choice which represented a less-promoted allocation pattern before declaration of pregnancy. We focused on each respondent’s view for non-ionizing radiation （NIR） and physical load in MRI scan duties as possible factors in decision processes. Decision tree and binomial logistic regression analyses showed that these factors closely connected with decision processes in less-promoted allocation. Especially, concerns of adverse health effects caused by NIR exposure were strong motivations in making a judge for pregnant employee’s allocation.