Computed Tomography Utilisation Patterns and Radiation Dose Optimisation at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State

Computed tomography has expanded rapidly in Nigerian teaching hospitals as a diagnostic tool, yet its significantly higher radiation dose compared to plain radiography necessitates continuous dose optimisation and justification review in each clinical context. At Jos University Teaching Hospital in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, CT utilisation patterns and associated radiation dose management practices require systematic documentation. This study examines CT utilisation patterns and evaluates radiation dose optimisation practices at Jos University Teaching Hospital. A retrospective descriptive design is applied to 400 consecutive CT examination records from 2022 to 2023, documenting referral indication, examination type, volume CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose-length product, and estimated effective dose. Compliance with clinical referral guidelines is assessed against the Royal College of Radiologists iRefer standards. Descriptive statistics and frequency analysis are computed in SPSS. Available CT dose literature from North Central Nigeria identifies abdomen and pelvis CT as the highest-volume examination category, with dose-length products frequently exceeding European diagnostic reference levels in non-protocol-driven examinations. The European Commission Radiation Protection publication 185 CT dose optimisation guidance provides the analytical reference. Findings are expected to reveal overutilisation of contrast enhancement and dose-length products above national reference levels for several examination categories. Recommendations address CT clinical decision support tools, dose-tracking software implementation, and protocol standardisation at JUTH radiology department. Keywords: computed tomography, radiation dose, dose optimisation, Jos University Teaching Hospital, North Central Nigeria.