Prevalência do incômodo provocado pelo ruído urbano e sua relação com fatores individuais, sociodemográficos e atributos da vizinhança

Abstract

Urbanization is an irreversible, complex and definitive process, which, especially in developing countries, occurs with the disorderly and unplanned growth of cities. Sociodemographic changes related to this process reveal different vulnerability to typical urban environment exposures, including noise. Studies have used different investigation methods to evaluate sources that generate noise in the urban environment and measures for their control. However, the control and monitoring of urban noise is still a challenge, especially in Brazil. The first objective was to investigate the association between discomfort caused by noise with individual and sociodemographic factors and self-perceived neighborhood in the city of Belo Horizonte (Article 1); the second objective was to analyze the relationship between measured sound pressure levels, their generating sources and the attributes of the neighborhood (Article 2). Article 1 had as source of information the household survey “Saúde em Beagá” (SBH), carried out from 2008 to 2009, in two of the nine health districts of Belo Horizonte. The survey had a probabilistic sample design, stratified into clusters in three stages: census tract, domicile and a resident aged 18 or over. Data collection was carried out through an interview with the participation of 4,048 individuals. For this study, participants who reported hearing impairment, partial deafness, total deafness and who did not respond to the outcome were excluded, resulting in a final sample of 3,934 individuals. The response variable was the perception of noise in the neighborhood investigated by the question: “In relation to your neighborhood, does noise bother you?”. The explanatory variables were grouped in the following domains: sociodemographic, social determinants, self-rated health and self-reported diseases. To evaluate the investigated associations, simple and multiple multilevel logistic regression models were considered. Article 2 had as a source of information the Systematic Social Observation (OSS), carried out in 2011, in the same geographical areas of the SBH study. The outcome variable was the sound pressure level (SPL) measured in 142 neighborhoods, and the exposures were the Health Vulnerability Index (IVS), sources of noise and indicators and attributes of the neighborhood. The SPL measurements were carried out as recommended by standard 10151 of the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT), in the afternoon. The types of noise perceived by the observer at the time of observation were grouped into categories based on Principal Component Analysis. Neighborhood attributes were analyzed using OSS composite indicators. For data analysis, univariate linear regression and multivariate linear regression were performed. Article 1 revealed that the prevalence of noise disturbance was high for both women (47.0%) and men (39.8%), being independently associated, at the neighborhood level, with the perception of the presence of bad traffic, loud music, discussions and parties until late, for men and women. For women, the perception of noise as a nuisance was also associated with self-reported digestive changes (OR = 1.52; CI = 1.10-2.11) and poor sleep quality (OR = 1.66; CI = 1, 31-2.11). There was no association between the perception of noise as a nuisance and the Health Vulnerability Index (IVS). Article 2 revealed higher SPL values in the neighborhoods with itermediate IVS (coefficient = 3.37), greater presence of sources of vehicle noise (coefficient = 1.91) and street conditions and traffic items (coefficient = 1.73). Lower SPL levels were measured in neighborhoods in which a greater presence of noise sources from people (coefficient = -1.48) and animals (coefficient = -1.60) was identified. The present study presents relevant data by revealing the high prevalence of noise discomfort regardless of the IVS and by identifying which women are affected differently by this discomfort. It also contributes to identifying traffic as the source of noise associated with higher NPS and the discomfort to noise. These results can contribute to the planning of interventions aimed at reducing noise levels and their impacts on the health and well-being of residents of the city of Belo Horizonte.