Sociodemographic factors associated with public awareness of medical radiation risks and safety practices in the West Bank, Palestine: a cross-sectional study

Despite the widespread use of medical imaging in the West Bank, public awareness of ionizing radiation risks and protective measures remains poorly explored. Limited radiation-safety knowledge may contribute to unnecessary anxiety, inappropriate imaging utilization, and suboptimal adherence to protective guidelines. This study aims to assess the level of public awareness of medical radiation risks and safety practices and to examine the association between sociodemographic characteristics and awareness levels among the general population in the West Bank, Palestine. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 655 adults residing in the West Bank using an online self-administered questionnaire distributed between October 10 and October 31, 2025. The survey collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, imaging background, knowledge of radiation risks, and protective measures. A binary scoring system classified respondents into low or high knowledge categories. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29, applying Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests to examine associations between demographic characteristics and knowledge levels. Most participants demonstrated low imaging-background knowledge (67.5%), and only 38% were objectively aware of the dangers of ionizing radiation. Recognition of the radiation hazard symbol was limited (23.5%), and more than half of the participants (53.6%) did not know the meaning of “ionizing radiation.” In contrast, 53.6% showed high knowledge of protective measures. Higher education level, prior imaging experience, urban residence, and having relatives in the medical field were significantly associated with better knowledge across multiple domains (p < 0.05). Substantial gaps in public awareness of medical radiation persist in the West Bank, particularly regarding imaging background and radiation risks. Although knowledge of protective measures was relatively higher, important deficiencies remain. Targeted educational interventions and improved communication strategies within healthcare settings are needed to enhance public radiation literacy, promote safer imaging practices, and support informed decision-making.