Noise Induced Sleep Disturbance in Adult Population: Cross Sectional Study in Skopje Urban Centre

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate sleep disturbance caused by environmental noise in residents of Skopje urban centre and to quantify the probability for sleep disturbance related to night-time noise exposure. Methods.Cross sectional study with noise measurements for determination of noise exposure indicator L night . A randomised sample was selected from adult population and directly interviewed with questionnaire for assessment of sleep disturbance.Results. 510 questionnaires were collected and the response rate was 72%, 8% of the population sample reported a high level of sleep disturbance and 18% reported a moderate level of sleep disturbance. The most frequent sources of noise were neighbourhood and road traffic. The most disturbed age group were individuals 51-65 years old, who were significantly more disturbed (p=0.010) than the age group of 41-50 years old. Differences in sleep disturbance were significant only for the group exposed to L night ≥ 56 dBA (Wald = 4.31; p = 0.04). Exposure to L night above 56 dBA had OR = 2.2 (95% CI 1.1 -4.7) or double significant increase probability for sleep disturbance, compared with control group of subjects exposed to L night ≤ 45 dBA. Conclusion.Night time noise exposure above the established limit values significantly increased the risk for sleep disturbance. These findings induce necessity for reducing noise exposure, especially during night-time and for taking preventive measures.

Sleep Disturbance and Noise Annoyance and Environmental Noise Exposure in Residents of Two Major Slovakian Cities

“…The results are similar to those of the LARES study and the study from Skopje, Macedonia [18,19]. The LARES study was conducted under the auspices of the WHO in 8 European countries and showed that 23 % of the population had sleep disorders and the dominant source of noise was traffic noise (including road, rail and air traffic) as well as noise from neighboring flats [18].…”

Environmental noise and sleep disturbance: Research in central, eastern and south-eastern Europe and newly independent states

“…[28] Study conducted in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has shown that 26% of whole sample had sleep disturbance, and dominant sources were neighborhood noise and road traffic noise. [17,18] The findings have shown similarity with the findings of LARES study. [22] Summary results from the LARES study, organized by WHO and conducted in eight European countries, has shown that 23% of whole sample had sleep disturbance, and dominant noise source were traffic noise (including road traffic, railway and aircraft noise) and neighborhood noise.…”

“…In this review, one paper from former Yugoslavia, [13] two papers from Serbia, [14,15] one from Slovakia, [16] one paper, [17] and one PhD thesis [18] from The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and one paper from Lithuania [19] are included aiming to identify the level of sleep disturbance caused by environmental noise in urban adult population considering confounding factors for development of this effect. Results are presented in Table 1.…”

“…In five studies in this review, we found that authors from former Yugoslavia, [13] Serbia, [14,15] Slovakia [16] and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia [17] used objective noise exposure assessment with noise measurements on the residential site of the participants. Exposure indicator for night time noise was expressed as energy equivalent noise level for 24 hours (L eq24h ) and (L night ) [13,14,16] or maximum sound level (L max ).…”

Community response to noise: Research in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and Newly Independent States

“…Railway and aircraft noise are not serious problems for causing annoyance and sleep disturbance in the exposed population. [36][37][38] These data were disseminated to all the relevant ministries in order to implement these findings in strategies for health, transport, development of urban areas, and urban plans.…”