Assessment of radiation protection officer training in Bangladesh: A pre–post intervention study

The expanding use of ionizing radiation in medical and industrial applications requires competent radiation safety oversight to minimize occupational and public exposure. Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) play a critical role in implementing regulatory requirements and radiation protection measures. However, evidence evaluating the effectiveness of regulatory training programs for RPO in developing countries, including Bangladesh, remains limited. This study aimed to assess the radiation protection and safety knowledge gained from the training for Radiation Protection Officers organized by Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA). A pre–post intervention study was conducted among RPO working in diagnostic radiology facilities across Bangladesh. A total of 54 participants completed a structured two-day training program covering regulatory requirements, radiation hazards, radiation protection, facility design, and operational safety. Knowledge was assessed using a questionnaire survey immediately before and after the training. A paired t-test statistical method was applied to compare pre- and post-training scores. The mean pre-training knowledge score was 19.00 (SD = 5.82), which increased significantly to 40.71 (SD = 11.08) following the training (t = 10.03, p < 0.001). The overall effect size was very large (Cohen’s d = 2.68), indicating a strong educational impact. Category-wise analysis demonstrated significant improvements across all domains, with the largest gains observed in regulatory knowledge, followed by radiation protection and radiation hazard domains. The Radiation Protection Officer training program was found highly effective in improving radiation safety knowledge. The substantial learning gains highlight the value of structured regulatory training as a key capacity-building tool for strengthening radiation safety culture and regulatory compliance in Bangladesh.