Open AccessRoad traffic noise exposure and annoyance: A cross-sectional study among adult Indian population
Author(s) -
Dibyendu Banerjee
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
noise and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.344
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1998-4030
pISSN - 1463-1741
DOI - 10.4103/1463-1741.116583
Subject(s) - annoyance , cross sectional study , odds ratio , environmental health , demography , medicine , logistic regression , residence , confidence interval , road traffic , population , odds , traffic noise , audiology , transport engineering , noise reduction , pathology , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , engineering , loudness
Preceding research has linked noise exposure, road traffic bring the dominant community source, with annoyance, which is an indicator of more serious, chronic health conditions. This study aimed to explore the association between residential road traffic noise and self-reported annoyance from an adult Indian population, residing close to roadways. The cross-sectional study used a questionnaire survey in an urban Indian municipality along roadways, where faηade noise assessment was made manually. The survey included randomly selected subjects aged 19-59 years, residing minimum of 10 years in the area and residing within 50 m of the roadways. Association of self-reported annoyance and noise exposure was examined by binary and multiple logistic regressions. The noise exposure was classified in units of 5 dB (A) from <65 dB (A) to 80 dB (A). Self-reported annoyance was marked at levels above 65-70 dB (A). A 67.5 dB (AA) is suggested as a threshold level. The association was statistically significant for female subjects with the adjusted odds ratio being 2.35 (95% confidence intervals: 0.99-5.58). Prevalence of annoyance was more for male subjects. Both age and period of residence were significant predictors of annoyance. Vulnerable age sub-groups were 34-40 years, followed by 50-60 years. The results of this study further suggest the association residential noise exposure near roadways and self-reported annoyance, among the study subjects.