Title: The knowledge of and attitude towards nuclear energy among students of medicine in the north of Iran

Authors: Ali Shabestani Monfared, Karimollah Hajian Tilaki

Addresses: Department of Medical Physics, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. ' Department of Biostatistics and Social Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

Abstract: The use of nuclear energy globally seems to have become greater in recent decades. Today, society wants to have nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This study was carried out to investigate the knowledge and attitude of students of medicine towards nuclear energy in the universities of medical sciences in Mazandaran Province in the northern part of Iran. All of the students of medicine in basic science courses (175 students) were asked to complete a questionnaire to determine their knowledge about the physical and technological bases of nuclear energy, and also for their attitude towards the use of nuclear energy. The results showed that 171 students (98.8%) believe that nuclear energy in Iran is a necessity for development, and therefore, nuclear technology should have a native setup in the country. The findings also showed that knowledge of 121 students (69.9%) about the physical and technical bases of nuclear energy was in an acceptable range. Two questionnaires were excluded because of the incomplete filling of items.

Keywords: nuclear energy; medicine; Iran; nuclear power; medical students.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNGEE.2008.018338

International Journal of Nuclear Governance, Economy and Ecology, 2008 Vol.2 No.2, pp.206 - 211

Published online: 16 May 2008 *

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