Noise Pollution and its Irritating Effects in Hospitals of Hamadan, Iran

Hospital is a place to provide medical services. It is affected by noise pollution sources that can be associated with negative impacts on health and comfort status of the staff members and patients. The aim of this study was to measure noise levels in different wards of hospitals and to determine the irritation caused by noise among the hospital staff members in Hamadan, Iran.

During daytime, the equivalent sound pressure levels were measured by TES-1358 sound level meter in 302 points in different wards and outdoor area of 8 hospitals in Hamadan. A validated questionnaire was also completed to evaluate the level of irritation among 186 staff members.

The results showed that the equivalent sound levels in indoor and outdoor areas of hospitals were 55.8 dB(A) and 56.2 dB(A), respectively. In addition, sound levels in indoor areas of educational and non-educational hospitals were 57 dB(A) and 54 dB(A), respectively. Moreover, 17% of the employees felt slightly irritated, 22% were moderately irritated, 16% were severely irritated, and 45% very severely irritated due to noise pollution in their workplace. The irritation rate in women was 10% more than men.

The observed noise levels in all hospitals exceeded the national recommended limit values for hospital environments. Therefore, hospital staff members and officials and the community should be taught to keep noise pollution in hospitals at a low level. Finally, we recommend to improve and reconstruct some hospital environments and if possible change their location.