Noise exposure patterns and health risk assessment among nurses in a Chinese paediatric intensive care unit

Starting from the hypothesis that occupational noise exposure among paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nurses at our hospital exceeds the recommended health guidelines and is associated with adverse non-auditory health outcomes, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to quantify personal noise exposure patterns and assess correlations with perceived stress, sleep quality, and hearing handicap in a convenience sample of 60 registered nurses wearing personal noise dosimeters over a 12-hour shift. The participants also completed a survey including the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA). The main finding was that the cohort's mean 8-hour time-weighted average (L_{Aeq,8 h}) exposure to noise was 78.5±4.2 dBA, and that all measured shifts exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) hospital guidelines. Peak noise levels (L_Cpeak) frequently surpassed 115 dBC. Most nurses (N=39) were classified as "poor sleepers" (PSQI>5). Significant positive correlations were found between L_{Aeq,8 h} and PSS-10 scores (r=0.45, p<0.001) and global PSQI scores (r=0.52, p<0.001). For every 1 dBA increase in L_{Aeq,8 h}, the odds of being a poor sleeper increased by 25 % (odds ratio 1.25; 95 % CI: 1.05-1.48). Even though this is a "snapshot study", it clearly indicates that PICU noise bears significant occupational risks of high stress and poor sleep, which warrants immediate intervention. Further research should focus on longitudinal measurements to get a better idea of noise exposure in healthcare environments, PICUs in particular.