Navigating Bahrain's Ultrasound Landscape: A Survey on Knowledge and Experiences

 

We are radiology students from the University of Bahrain College of Health and Sport Sciences conducting a study regarding ultrasound knowledge and experiences. This questionnaire is aimed at Bahrain residents.

 

1- Age

18-25 =39.8%

26-30 = 4.8%

31-40=20.2%

41-50= 21.1%

50+= 14.1%

 

2- Gender

Male= 17.2%

Female= 82.8%

 

3- Nationality

Bahraini= 94.1%

Non-Bahraini= 5.9%

 

4- Have you ever been to an ultrasound screening?

Yes= 73.4%

No= 26.2%

 

5- If yes, was the ultrasound painful?

Yes= 5.3%

No= 68.7%

I have never been= 26%

 

6- Do you believe that ultrasounds are only utilized to monitor pregnancy?

Yes= 4.7%

No= 95.3%

 

7- Do you think that ultrasound produces radiation that may harm the body's tissues?

Yes= 36.7%

No= 63.3%

 

8- What factors do you consider most important when choosing a healthcare clinic for ultrasound examinations?

Cost = 15.4%

Location=3.6%

Availability of appointments= 71.6%

Experience= 9.5%

 

Analyses and Findings:

    The new information that came out from the questionnaire about ultrasound knowledge and experiences among Bahraini residents was quite interesting. We attempted to collect responses to this questionnaire from as many individuals as possible in a short amount of time, allowing 169 participants to participate in this survey.

The largest group of respondents, (39.8%), came from people aged between 18 to 25, followed by those aged between 41 and 50 at (21.1%). Women made up (82.8%) and males (17.2%) of the respondents. The study respondents were mainly Bahrainis, who accounted for (94.1%), while non-Bahraini nationals made up (5.9%) of the respondents.

Most of the respondents (73.4%) reported that they had ultrasound screening, while (26%) had not received the ultrasound screening. Moreover, a small portion of the respondents (5.3%) who had undergone ultrasound screening felt uncomfortable during the procedure, with the majority, (68.7%), saying it did not feel painful. One important finding is that (26%) of the respondents had never undergone the ultrasound screening, which may imply a lack of personal experience with this type of imaging.

A small number of the respondents to the survey (4.7%) think that ultrasounds were only used for monitoring pregnancy. This also indicates a general understanding of the capabilities of ultrasound outside of obstetrics.

Concerning X-ray radiation, a sizable proportion of respondents (36.7%) believed that radiation from ultrasounds could harm the body's tissues. Ultrasound imaging differs from other imaging modalities like CT scans and X-rays since it does not use ionizing radiation.

The availability of appointments (71.6%) was the most important factor taken into consideration by respondents when choosing a healthcare clinic for ultrasound examinations, followed by cost (15.4%) and experience (9.5%). Location was considered less important in the process of making choices (3.6%).

These investigations shed information about Bahrain residents' knowledge, experiences, and views toward ultrasound. They emphasize the need for educational efforts to debunk myths about ultrasonography and radiation, as well as considerations such as appointment availability and cost when selecting a healthcare clinic. Further data analysis can reveal possible links between demographic characteristics and attitudes toward ultrasonography, allowing for the development of targeted interventions and advances in healthcare services in Bahrain.