Effects of Traffic Noise Exposure on Sleep: Questionnaire Survey

Previous studies have indicated that in addition to direct effect of noise exposure on auditory system، it can also lead to indirect problems such as sleep disturbance in term of reduction of nocturnal sleep quality and quantity. The present study is aimed to examine the relationship between exposures to noise pollution caused by road traffic and the quality and quantity sleep among traffic police officers in Tehran. This cross sectional study was conducted with 250 police officers from 15 regions of Tehran. Ambient noise was measured by sound level meter (CEL-450) at 9 stations in each selected region. Information related to sleep factors were collected with a valid and reliable Self-designed questionnaire in seven Likert scale. Data were analyzed through SPSS-19 and Pearson''s correlation test. Based on the achieved data، 250 officers with the average age of 26. 37±4 years were participated. The minimum and maximum sound pressure level in selected regions were 73/48 and 87/74 respectively. Our results indicated significant positive correlation between exposure to traffic noise and sleep fragments as well as feeling fatigue and sleepiness during the day after exposure (p≤0/05). No significant relation was found between noise and the average hours of nocturnal sleep. The results of present study approve that exposure to traffic noise van lead to incensement of sleep fragments during night and feeling of tiredness and sleepy during the next day that these all factors can have effects on occupational performance.