A Study on the Perception of Medical Radiation Exposure and Irradiated Foods among College Students in Nursing and Health-related and Health-unrelated Majors

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and awareness of medical radiation and irradiated foods among nursing college students and those pursuing health-related and health-unrelated majors and to provide basic data for developing and promoting appropriate educational programs on the use of radiation. The knowledge of medical radiation was the highest among those over 30 years of age (3.0 points), and members of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Science (3.0 points). The awareness of the risk of medical radiation was the highest among female (3.34 points), among members of the Department of Nursing and Health Science (3.40 points), and among third-year students (3.41 points). The awareness of the benefits of medical radiation was the highest in male (3.90 points). The awareness of irradiated foods and its safety was low in all departments. The need for education regarding irradiated foods and the willingness to provide information on such foods were high. In conclusion, it is thought that specific promotional activities and educational programs are needed to improve the accuracy of knowledge regarding medical radiation among college students and increase their awareness on the safety of irradiated foods.