M N Ebare1, V O Omuemu, E C Isah. 1. Department of Community Health, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, PMB 1154, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of noise generated by music shops in an urban city in Nigeria. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. METHODOLOGY: The study involved music shops in three out of eight identified clusters of market areas in Benin City. A semi-structured, researcher-administered questionnaire was also used to collect data from music shop owners. Noise levels generated by speakers in the music shops were measured using a sound level meter, and blood pressure measurements were taken with a mercury sphygmomanometer. RESULTS: Of the 250 music shops studied, more than 90.0% generated noise levels >85 dB, and 54.8% had a continuous pattern of noise. Longer duration of working years was significantly associated with decreased hearing (P = 0.01), shouting when talking (P = 0.04) and high blood pressure (P = 0.003). The position of music dealers in relation to the speakers was significantly associated with shouting when talking (P = 0.000). A significant association was found between higher levels of noise and high blood pressure (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: This study found very high levels of noise in music shops, which could be a source of occupational noise exposure among music dealers. Enlightenment campaigns on the hazards of exposure to loud noise and periodic audiometry examinations are recommended for this occupational group.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of noise generated by music shops in an urban city in Nigeria. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. METHODOLOGY: The study involved music shops in three out of eight identified clusters of market areas in Benin City. A semi-structured, researcher-administered questionnaire was also used to collect data from music shop owners. Noise levels generated by speakers in the music shops were measured using a sound level meter, and blood pressure measurements were taken with a mercury sphygmomanometer. RESULTS: Of the 250 music shops studied, more than 90.0% generated noise levels >85 dB, and 54.8% had a continuous pattern of noise. Longer duration of working years was significantly associated with decreased hearing (P = 0.01), shouting when talking (P = 0.04) and high blood pressure (P = 0.003). The position of music dealers in relation to the speakers was significantly associated with shouting when talking (P = 0.000). A significant association was found between higher levels of noise and high blood pressure (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: This study found very high levels of noise in music shops, which could be a source of occupational noise exposure among music dealers. Enlightenment campaigns on the hazards of exposure to loud noise and periodic audiometry examinations are recommended for this occupational group.
Authors: Sierra N Clark; Abosede S Alli; Ricky Nathvani; Allison Hughes; Majid Ezzati; Michael Brauer; Mireille B Toledano; Jill Baumgartner; James E Bennett; James Nimo; Josephine Bedford Moses; Solomon Baah; Samuel Agyei-Mensah; George Owusu; Briony Croft; Raphael E Arku Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-05-27 Impact factor: 4.379