Abstract

NOISE POLLUTION IN GOLESTAN HOSPITAL’S WARDS, AHVAZ, IRAN, 2014

Sakineh Azarnosh, Khodabakhsh Karami*, Ghodratollah Shakerinejad

Abstract

Introduction: Hospitals are centers that restore physical and mental health of patients, and are places that allow patients rest and recover. It needs a quiet Environment for both patients and personnel involved. We aimed to assess the wards environmental noise pollution and evaluate their noise levels with recommended standard values. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Golestan Hospital, Ahwaz, Iran. The study aimed to measure noise levels in ten wards, at four time periods in a day: morning (8-10), afternoon (12- 15), meeting time (15-17) and at night (20-22). Results: The wards noise levels measured in 320 sections at different times. The mean noise levels in wards of Golestan Hospital were about 55, 55.5, 55 and 66 dB in morning, noon, afternoon and meeting time respectively. Most mean noise level differentiation (8.94 dB) was seen between dialyze and gynecology. Conclusion: The World Health Organization guidelines state that mean noise levels on hospital wards should not exceed 30 dB (day and night) and that peak noise levels at night should not exceed 40 dB. Our results showed that mean noise levels in all Golestan Hospital Wards are more than theses recommended levels. It needs an educational program for both personnel and visitors and even patients.

Keywords: Noise Level, Noise Pollution, Hospital Wards.