2021 Volume 9 Issue 2 Pages 75-87
The present study aimed to clarify the current situation of risk perception and anxiety regarding radiation among nurses working at a Nuclear Emergency Core Hospital in an Urgent Protective Action Planning Zone. We conducted a questionnaire survey on 179 nurses (response rate: 100%). More than 80% of the nurses indicated that they were anxious about radiation because of the proximity of the hospital to a nuclear power plant. More than 50% of the nurses also felt that low-dose exposure was likely to cause delayed effects on their health, and more than 70% were concerned that radiation exposure caused genetic effects. Additionally, more than 70% of the nurses believed that they were likely to be affected when caring for contaminated patients. These findings suggest that to develop the practical skills and confidence of nurses working at Nuclear Emergency Core Hospitals, fundamental knowledge on radiation dose and effects of radiation, as well as appropriate knowledge that can protect both patients and nurses themselves from radiation exposure.
