Influence of environmental factors and its associated health risks of noise pollution in Owerri Metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria
1 Surveillance and Epidemiology Department, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria.
2 Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
3 Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnewi Campus, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
4 Department of Drug development and Research, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
5 Department of Radiology, Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Dekina, Kogi State, Nigeria.
6 Paediatrics Department, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
7 House of Renaissance for Health Initiative, Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria.
8 Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, Amaigbo, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
9 Department of Nursing Science. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Research Article
GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 08(01), 001-010.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscarr.2021.8.1.0136
Publication history:
Received on 26 May 2021; revised on 02 July 2021; accepted on 06 July 2021
Abstract:
Noise pollution contributes to environmental degradation and poses a threat to human and terrestrial lives. Noise pollution can be regarded as environmental noise and the propagation of noise may develop a harmful impact on the activity of human or animal life. This study was conducted to determine the influence of environmental factors and its associated health risks of noise pollution in Owerri Metropolis, Nigeria. The study employed a cross sectional descriptive research design. Measurement of noise levels was carried out at 24 different locations. The sampling technique used in this study was a cluster sampling technique. The average reading for each location and each ward were calculated. Also, 900 respondents comprising adults who live and/or operate in the areas were interviewed on the health risks associated with noise, using structured and standardized questionnaire. The results obtained showed that the computed average noise level at the 24 different locations ranged from 79.4 – 95.8dB, and all of which were significantly (P<0.05) above the acceptable standard ranges of <80dB, thereby rating the noise level not acceptable because they can be capable of causing discomfort and pains in man. Influence of environmental factors on noise pollution; 29(3.2%) reported heavy vehicular traffic plying residential areas contributed to noise generation, 33(3.7%) said indiscriminate blowing of siren. Perceived health risks were reported as 47(5.2%) disturbs sleep, 24(2.7%) causes annoyance, 41(4.61%) causes headache and 21(2.3%) interference with conversation. In conclusion, environmental factors, poor education and lack of enforcement of the laws influence noise generation and there is need to check the level of noise pollution in Owerri Metropolis.
Keywords:
Decibel (dB); Environmental factors; Health Risks; Noise; Pollution; Metropolis; Sound Meter
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Copyright © 2021 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0
