title: Impact of a participatory program to reduce noise in a neonatal unit.
abstract: This study evaluated the impact of a participatory program to reduce noise in a neonatal intermediate care unit of a university hospital. A time-series quasi-experimental design was used, in which sound pressure levels were measured before and after the intervention was implemented using the Quest-400 dosimeter. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to compare noise with the level of significance fixed at 5%. Results showed significant reduction of sound pressure levels in the neonatal unit after the intervention program was implemented (p<0.0001). The average Leq before the intervention was 62.5dBA and was reduced to 58.8dBA after the intervention. A reduction of 7.1dBA in the average Lmax(from 104.8 to 87.7dBA) and of 30.6dBA in the average Lpeak(from 138.1 to 107.5dBA) was observed. The program was proven to be effective in significantly reducing noise levels in the neonatal unit, although levels were still more intense than recommended.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste do Paraná, Irati, PR, Brazil. nelmaellen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nelma Ellen
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Zamberlan-Amorim
authors.forename: Cristina Ide
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Fujinaga
authors.forename: Vanderlei José
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Hass
authors.forename: Luciana Mara Monti
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Cinira Magali
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fortuna
authors.forename: Carmen Gracinda Silvan
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Scochi
mesh_terms: D006272:Health Facility Environment; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D009622:Noise / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009725:Nurseries, Hospital