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Diagnostic x-radiation is an essential part of present-day medical practice being the largest contributor of irradiation to the general population. Therefore, routine checking of x-ray tubes leakage is very important to ensure that leakage radiation at a one-meter distance from focus is less than 1mR/h. The measurement of background radiation was performed during normal departmental working hours: early in the morning before the machines were switched on, and after the machines were switched on. Exposures were performed using different exposure factors and the fall out radiation in both control and uncontrolled areas were also recorded. The highest equivalent dose rate was recorded in the uncontrolled area of room 2, where the mean dose rate was 26.21 μSv/h (in changing room) and 11.67 μSv/h (behind the door), respectively. It follows the dose rate measured in the uncontrolled area of room 1, where the mean dose rate was 6.33 μSv/h (behind the door), 2.96 μSv/h (in changing room B), and 1.56 μSv/h (in changing room A), respectively. The lowest radiation dose was measured in both controlled and uncontrolled areas of CT-scan, where the mean dose rate was 0.17 μSv/h and 0.16 μSv/h, respectively, simply because the room doors and wall are adequately lead-lined and protected. All values obtained in this study are within the permissible limit, except that for uncontrolled areas in x-ray rooms 1 and 2, where radiation dose rates were higher than the reference limit for public exposure.

The quest for excellence in radiation protection calls for an integrated and holistic approach to education and training. Education and training are indispensable in ensuring that ICRP recommendations are applied, adopted and adhered to. In its program plan to the year 2000, the IAEA has attached considerable importance to the development of human resources for nuclear and radiation safety, in keeping with its ongoing emphasis on providing technical assistance to strengthen national infrastructures and promote the safe use of radiation. From the international perspective, the problem can be more readily tackled through an integrated and dogged approach to education in radiation protection, harmonization of the contents of courses, and assistance in training the trainers. Priority can be placed on better dissemination of experience and knowledge that is already available, and improved co-ordination of support mechanisms. Through its program over the coming years, the IAEA should help countries address these challenges. A system for credentialing RP training program should be established at national and regional level. This process should be undertaken by the Regulatory Authority, with the help of Academic Institutions and scientific or professional societies. A register of accredited bodies should be established with periodic reviews and policy on quality assurance and improvement in radiation protection education and training. Recommendations for radiation protection of the patient for individuals undergoing training programs in health centers, continuing education and training after qualification and on implementation of new techniques should be inculcated. There is a gap in education, awareness and training in radiation protection for developing countries with low resource settings, reaching out to the community, rural areas, mining sites, high radioactivity areas in the community setting. There is an urgent need to bridge the gap between theory and practical approach to addressing it. To make ICRP recommendations fit for purpose we need to bridge the gap and extend this radiation protection outreach programs, education and training to low resource settings. The existing national system on education and training on radiation protection of the medical professionals, proved to be very useful for improving the general situation in this field., License: Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial No Derivatives 2.5 Generic Grants: I would like to leave it blank.

Background: This study aimed at determining the mean portal vein diameter (PVD) based on age, gender, and anthropometric variables. Methods: This was a cross-sectional prospective study carried out among apparently healthy children aged 0–18 years at the radiology department of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi, from November 2016 to April 2017. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional committee on ethics and the head of radiology department in ATBUTH, Bauchi. Written and informed consent was obtained from all the participants, through their parents or guardians and from the head teachers of their schools before the study. Participants (children) were recruited (voluntarily) from primary and junior secondary schools within the vicinity of the hospital, and from parents who consented for their children to participate in the study. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages) and Pearson product-moment correlation were used for the analysis. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. Results: There were 111 (58.2%) males and 99 (47.14%) females. The individuals were between the ages of

Objective: To determine the normal value of amniotic fluid (AF) volume among pregnant women in a Northern Nigerian population and to determine if there is a relationship between AF index (AFI) and single deepest pocket (SDP) with anthropometric variables. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among singleton pregnant women at late second and third trimester attending the antenatal clinic in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, from December 2016 to April 2017. The mean AFI and SDP were measured by sonography. Ethical approval was obtained from the institution and informed consent was sought for from all the participants. Descriptive statistics, i.e. mean, standard deviation, and correlation coefficient, were used for the analysis. Results: A total of 206 women, aged between 18 and 40 years, with fetal gestational ages between 22 and 39 weeks were included in the study. The values for AFI in the study ranged from 12 to 28.7 cm, with a mean value of 19.84 ± 3.64 cm, and SDP ranged from 3.7 to 9.1 cm with a mean value of 6.04 ± 1.12 cm. This study found a weak relationship between the anthropometric variables and AFI and SDP and a strong relationship between AFI and SDP with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.901 and P = 0.014. Conclusion: This study found the mean values for AF volume using AFI and SDP in the studied population to be 19.84 ± 3.64 cm and 6.04 ± 1.12 cm, respectively; a strong positive relationship between AFI and SDP; and a negative relationship between body mass index with AFI and SDP.