Determination of awareness of industrial radiography as a career pathway among radiography students in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Background: Currently, industrial radiography (IR) is hugely unknown in Nigeria. This study aims to determine senior radiography students' awareness, attractors, and detractors of IR as a career. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to survey 402 senior radiography undergraduates in selected Nigerian universities. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Of 402 respondents from seven universities, 221 (55%) were male and 181 (45%) were female; 207 (52%), 176 (44%), and 5% (19) students were in the 18-22, 23-27, and 28-32 years of age range, respectively. 34% and 66% of the samples were 400 and 500-level students, respectively. Three hundred and seventy students (93%) are aware of IR; 58% heard about IR in the classroom while 71% correctly defined IR. The association between students' affiliation and awareness about IR was strong (r = 0.638 and P = 0.0241). Improved remuneration (73%) was the major attractor to IR while students' desire to practice medical radiography and fear of ionizing radiation were the major detractors of IR. Most students (61%) prefer medical to IR (39% and P = 0.01). Conclusion: Awareness of IR as a career option was very high among senior radiography students in the surveyed Nigerian universities. While most of the surveyed senior radiography students in Nigeria described chances of getting improved remuneration as the basis for selecting IR as a career, they consider their desire to practice medical radiography as well as their fear of hazards associated with the use of ionizing radiation are major detractors to IR as a career pathway.