Assessment of Noise and Associated Health Impacts at Selected Secondary Schools in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background. Most schools in Ibadan, Nigeria, are located near major roads (mobile line sources). We conducted an initial assessment of noise levels and adverse noise-related health and learning effects. Methods. For this descriptive, cross-sectional study, four schools were selected randomly from eight participating in overall project. We administered 200 questionnaires, 50 per school, assessing health and learning-related outcomes. Noise levels (A-weighted decibels, dBA) were measured with calibrated sound level meters. Traffic density was assessed for school with the highest measured dBA. Observational checklists assessed noise control parameters and building physical attributes. Results. Short-term, cross-sectional school-day noise levels ranged 68.3–84.7 dBA. Over 60% of respondents reported that vehicular traffic was major source of noise, and over 70% complained being disturbed by noise. Three schools reported tiredness, and one school lack of concentration, as the most prevalent noise-related health problems. Conclusion. Secondary school occupants in Ibadan, Nigeria were potentially affected by exposure to noise from mobile line sources.

[1]  Occupational and community noise. , 2001, Journal of environmental health.

[2]  Barney L. Kyzar.  Noise Pollution and Schools: How Much Is Too Much?. , 1977 .

[3]  J. Fields.  Effect of personal and situational variables on noise annoyance in residential areas , 1993 .

[4]  R. Albera,et al.  [Non-auditory effects of noise]. , 2011, Giornale italiano di medicina del lavoro ed ergonomia.

[5]  S. Stansfeld.  Noise, noise sensitivity and psychiatric disorder: epidemiological and psychophysiological studies. , 1992, Psychological medicine. Monograph supplement.

[6]  R. Job,et al.  The role of noise sensitivity in the noise-response relation: a comparison of three international airport studies. , 2004, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.

[7]  Michael G. Apte,et al.  Final methodology for a field study of indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency in new relocatable classrooms in Northern California , 2002 .

[8]  J. Stockman.  Aircraft and Road Traffic Noise and Children's Cognition and Health: A Cross-National Study , 2007 .

[9]  Derek G Shendell,et al.  Science-based recommendations to prevent or reduce potential exposure to biological, chemical, and physical agents in schools. , 2004, The Journal of school health.

[10]  Andrew P. Smith.  The non-auditory effects of noise , 1997 .

[11]  B. Berglund,et al.  Guidelines for community noise , 1999 .

[12]  H Morgenstern,et al.  Principles of study design in environmental epidemiology. , 1993, Environmental health perspectives.

[13]  R Hartle,et al.  Exposure to methyl tert-butyl ether and benzene among service station attendants and operators. , 1993, Environmental health perspectives.

[14]  Chi-Ming Lai,et al.  Improving Indoor Environmental Quality And Energy Performance of Modular Classroom HVAC Systems , 2005 .

[15]  Ana M. García,et al.  Road traffic noise around schools: a risk for pupil's performance? , 1993, International archives of occupational and environmental health.

[16]  G. Karsdorf,et al.  [Effects of traffic noise on health and achievement of high school students of a large city]. , 1968, Zeitschrift fur die gesamte Hygiene und ihre Grenzgebiete.