Evaluation of Radiology Department Design and Environmental Standards at District Hospitals in Kebbi State

The physical design and environmental standards of radiology departments in Nigerian district hospitals directly affect radiation safety, image quality, workflow efficiency, and patient dignity, yet many district hospital radiology facilities were established decades ago without compliance with current design regulations. In Kebbi State, North West Nigeria, the radiology department environments at district hospitals have not been previously audited. This study evaluates radiology department design and environmental standards at district hospitals in Kebbi State against the Nigerian NRBN facility standards and IAEA room design guidelines. A cross-sectional observational audit is conducted across eight district hospitals in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, and Yauri local government areas. Structured observation checklists assess room dimensions, wall and door shielding adequacy, warning light systems, ventilation, patient changing facilities, accessibility for mobility-impaired patients, and equipment placement safety. Descriptive statistics and compliance scoring are computed in SPSS. Available radiology facility standards literature from North West Nigerian district hospitals identifies inadequate radiation shielding in walls constructed without lead lining, absent warning light systems, and inadequate patient changing privacy as the most prevalent design deficiencies. The IAEA Radiation Protection in Diagnostic Radiology and the Nigerian Radiographers Registration Board facility standards provide the evaluative reference. Findings are expected to reveal compliance rates below 50 percent across most assessed standards. Recommendations address a state government radiology facility renovation priority programme and mandatory facility compliance inspections for all Kebbi State district hospital imaging units. Keywords: radiology department design, environmental standards, district hospitals, Kebbi State, North West Nigeria.