KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF IMAGING OF CHILDREN WITH SUSPECTED CASES OF NON-ACCIDENTAL INJURIES AMONG RADIOGRAPHERS WITHIN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice of Non-accidental injuries (NAI) among radiographers practising within Maiduguri Metropolis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire to elicit information on knowledge and practice of imaging children with Non-accidental injuries. The information elicited from the questionnaire related to the following themes: Demographic characteristics, knowledge and practice of imaging children with NAI. Informed consent was sought from participants. Descriptive statistics (mean, frequencies) were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 45 questionnaires were distributed to radiographers, and 36 (100%) were completed and returned. A total of 23 (63.9%) were males and 13 (36.1%) were females. The majority 34 (94.4%) of the respondents had good knowledge of NAI. Skeletal survey was the examination commonly requested in children with NAI as reported by 23 (63.9%) respondents, and the majority of the participants 31 (86.1%) had no speciality training in pediatric imaging. A total of 23 (63.9%) participants knew that using a single film to image the whole body (baby-gram) was an obsolete examination. Conclusion: Radiographers in this study have good knowledge of NAI in children and are involved in imaging children with suspected cases of non-accidental injury. It is evident from the results of this study that NAI among children occurs in our environment and a majority of these cases are underreported and may even go unnoticed. Having adequate knowledge of clinical and radiologic manifestations of NAI in children will enable the radiographer to deliver evidence-based practice in line with international best practices.