title: Assessment and characterization of sound pressure levels in Portuguese neonatal intensive care units.
abstract: In the NICU, systematic exposure to sound-pressure above the recommended level can affect both neonates and staff. This study aimed to evaluate the sound pressure levels in three Portuguese NICUs and the noise perceptions of staff. The measurements were performed with a sound-level meter, considering the location of the main sources of noise and the layout of the units. A questionnaire was applied to assess noise perceptions of professionals. Among the staff, 41.1% classified the environment (regarding noise) as "slightly uncomfortable"; 48.4% considered it as "acceptable." The majority (55.5%) considered "equipment" the most annoying source of noise. The results showed that noise levels were excessive in all the evaluated areas of the NICUs, exceeding international guidelines, with levels ranging between 48.7 dBA to 71.7 dBA. Overall, there is a need for more research to verify the effectiveness of some actions and strategies to reduce the effect of noise in the NICU.
authors.affiliation: a Scientific Area of Environmental Health , Research Centre on Health and Environment (CISA/ESS.PPorto), School of Health of Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESS.PPorto) , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Joana
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2777-3244
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: a Scientific Area of Environmental Health , Research Centre on Health and Environment (CISA/ESS.PPorto), School of Health of Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESS.PPorto) , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4352-4555
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carvalhais
authors.affiliation: a Scientific Area of Environmental Health , Research Centre on Health and Environment (CISA/ESS.PPorto), School of Health of Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESS.PPorto) , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.affiliation: a Scientific Area of Environmental Health , Research Centre on Health and Environment (CISA/ESS.PPorto), School of Health of Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESS.PPorto) , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuela V
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1256-990X
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000592:standards*; D010465:Perception; D011174:Portugal; D011312:Pressure; D013016:Sound / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Health care staff; NICU; noise