Appropriateness of CT and MRI requests and associated factors at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: In recent years, the utilization of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has witnessed a significant surge, raising concerns about the appropriateness of these diagnostic imaging tests. The appropriateness of CT and MRI requests plays a crucial role in delivering high-quality healthcare while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure and healthcare costs. In Ethiopia, there is limited study on the prevalence of appropriateness of CT and MRI requests and its associated factors. Objective: To assess appropriateness of CT and MRI requests and associated factors at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from January to December 2023. Method: A retrospective review of CT and MRI requests was conducted in June 2024 among selected sample of 425 requests using a stratified sampling technique. The presence of a statistically significant difference in the characteristics of the dependent and independent variables was assessed using the chi-square test, with a p-value of less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance. To evaluate the statistically significant association between the independent and dependent variables, multivariable binary logistic regression was employed. p-values <0.05 were used to test for significance and interpret the results. Results: The prevalence of inappropriate requests were 28.7%. The findings indicate that both requests for chronic lower back pain (AOR = 82.11, 95% CI = 8.24, 818.10, p-value <0.001) and requests originating from the Gynecology department (AOR = 3.11, 95% CI = 1.06, 9.08, p-value = 0.04) were identified as significant factors associated with inappropriate CT and MRI requests. Conclusion: The study findings revealed a significant and concerning prevalence of inappropriate CT and MRI scan requests. In particular, requests related to clinical data of chronic lower back pain and those from the Gynecology department were strongly associated with inappropriateness.