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Effect of peer education on the noise management in Iranian neonatal intensive care unit
Azam Biabanakigoortani1, Mahboobeh Namnabati2, Zahra Abdeyazdan2
1Student Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Insights
Peer education effectively reduced noise levels in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Staff performance in noise management improved significantly, benefiting preterm infants
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care
- Environmental health in healthcare settings
- Infant neurodevelopmental outcomes
Background:
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) advancements improve preterm infant survival but neurobehavioral issues persist.
- Elevated noise levels in the NICU are a significant stressor for preterm infants.
- Standardizing NICU noise levels is crucial for infant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of peer education on staff performance in NICU noise management.
- To assess the effectiveness of a peer-led intervention in reducing noise pollution.
- To improve the care environment for preterm infants through enhanced noise control.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental pre-post test design was employed.
- Fifty-eight NICU staff members (nurses and physicians) participated.
- Noise levels (sound pressure) and staff performance (questionnaire) were measured before and after the peer education intervention.
Main Results:
- Mean sound levels significantly decreased post-intervention, from 86.7 to 74.9 dB (center) and 68.2 to 48.50 dB (bedside).
- Staff performance scores in noise management significantly improved from 74.6 to 83.4.
- Statistical analysis confirmed significant reductions in noise and improvements in performance (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Peer education is a successful strategy for improving noise management in the NICU.
- Behavioral changes among staff led to a reduction in unnecessary noise generation.
- Implementing peer education can create a quieter, less stressful environment for vulnerable preterm infants.
Background:
Advancements in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) science and technology have increased the survival rate of preterm infants. Despite these advances, they are still facing with neurobehavioral problems. Noise level in NICU is a potential source of stress for preterm infants. It should be decreased to the standard level as much as possible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of peer education on the performance of staff in noise management in the NICU.
Materials And Methods:
A pre-post test quasi-experimental design was used. Fifty-eight staff members (nurses and physicians) participated in this study. Sound pressure levels were measured before and after the intervention. Peer education program formed the intervention. The staff performance in noise management was evaluated before and after the intervention by using a questionnaire. Data analysis was done by using t-test.
Results:
The results of the study showed that the mean sound level in different environments significantly decreased after the intervention. It reached from 86.7 to 74.9 dB in the center of unit and from 68.2 to 48.50 dB in the infants' bedside (P < 0.0001). The mean score of the staff performance in noise management significantly increased after the intervention, compared to the pre-intervention score. It increased from 74.6 to 83.4 (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
Peer education was found to be successful in noise management because behavioral changes were done to avoid generating unnecessary noise by the staff.
