Noise Level and its Sources in Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Selected Public Hospitals in Kigali City

Abstract

Background
 Noise in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has an impact on the developmental progress of neonates, especially preterm. Technology advancement has improved the life of preterm neonates, but also changed NICU into a noisy place.
 Objective
 To measure the noise levels and identify its sources in NICU at selected public hospitals in Kigali city`
 Methods
 A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study. A sound level meter was used in recording the Sound level in six different locations of the NICUs at five different times. An observational checklist was used to identify possible sources of noise. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA).
 Results
 Sound levels recorded in all the NICUs were high ranging from 61.8 decibel (dB) to 77.0 dB, greater than the 45 dB recommended by the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP). The maximum noise level was 77.0 dB. Ward rounds had the highest noise levels, and lunchtime had the lowest noise levels in all hospitals. Noise levels were high at the station near the entrance in all NICU rooms.
 Conclusion
 In all NICUs, the noise level generated was greater than the standard limits established by AAP. Neonates need noise-free environment as excess noise has an impact on their wellbeing.
 Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2020;3(2):115-127

Health Effects caused by Noise - The Case of Africa: Evidence in Literature from the Past 25 Years

“…Sound levels recorded in all the NICUs were high ranging from 61.8 decibel (dB) to 77.0 dB, greater than the 45 dB recommended by the American Association of Paediatrics (AAP). High noise levels in NICU affected heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and intracranial pressure [27].…”

Intervensi untuk Menurunkan Kebisingan di Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Systematic Review

“…Bayi prematur yang dirawat di NICU sering kali mengalami stres yang disebabkan oleh prosedur menyakitkan, paparan cahaya dan kebisingan lingkungan sekitar (Alemdar, 2018). Standar tingkat kebisingan yang direkomendasikan oleh American Academic of Pediatrics (AAP) Tahun 1997 yaitu <45 dBA, namun sebuah studi menunjukkan bahwa tingkat kebisingan maksimal lingkungan NICU sekitar 77 dBA artinya 32 dBA diatas standar yang direkomendasikan (Dusabe et al, 2020).…”

“…Bahan insulasi yang berada pada penutup inkubator mampu meredam berbagai suara atau kebisingan yang berasal dari lingkungan NICU, meskipun intensitas suara yang dapat diturunkan <3 dBA. Intensitas suara <3 dBA tidak tidak memberikan dampak yang bermakna bagi pendengaran manusia, sehingga perlu batasan minimal 3 dBA untuk perubahan tingkat kebisingan menjadi sangat bermakna (Dusabe et al, 2020).…”