Assessment of Entrance Surface Dose of X-ray PA examination of patients at Al-Zahra and Al -Hakim Hospitals in Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq

The project is aimed at Al Zahra and Al Hakim Hospitals to focus on patient dosimetry and the establishment of diagnostic reference levels (DRL) for routine X-ray examinations (anteroposterior (abdomen) and (chest) posteroanterior). Ionizing radiation has biological effects that can be harmful, and therefore, it is important to monitor and optimize the radiation dose delivered to patients during medical imaging. The results of the previous studies showed that there are significant differences in radiation dose, so it is important to adopt local DRLs to make the patient safer and improve the radiation practice. Measure radiation doses during anteroposterior (AP) abdomen and posteroanterior (PA) chest radiography exams, set diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) to optimize the practice and improve patient safety. The present study is a prospective study involving 50 cases from Al-Hakim General Hospital and 50 cases from Al-Zahraa Teaching Hospital, with the majority of cases in 1-14 age group (during November 2025). Radiation doses at both hospitals were often higher than international diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) (esd), with Specific findings including higher kVp and mAs values, alluding to increased radiation levels during X-ray exams. It was finally concluded that both Al Zahra and Al Hakim Hospitals have higher ESD than recommended by DRLs. To overcome this, it is important to: Standardize the settings for X-ray exposures. Do periodic quality assurance on X-ray machines. Provide radiographers with training on dose optimization.