Environmental Noise Pollution in a Public Healthcare Facility: A Case Study of General Hospital, Akure, Nigeria

Received 30 Mar, 2026

Accepted 20 Jul, 2026

Published 30 Sep, 2026

Background and Objective: Environmental noise pollution represents a significant urban environmental challenge, particularly in healthcare environments where quiet surroundings are necessary for patient recovery and effective medical service delivery. This study investigates environmental noise levels within General Hospital, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, and its surrounding urban environment. Materials and Methods: Noise measurements were conducted at twenty monitoring locations comprising fourteen hospital units and six surrounding urban sites. Descriptive statistical analysis including minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation was used to evaluate noise level variation across locations. Results: The mean noise levels within hospital units ranged from 56.95 to 71.10 dBA, with an overall hospital average of 63.04 dBA. Surrounding urban locations recorded significantly higher mean values ranging from 73.75 to 76.75 dBA, with an average of 75.28 dBA. These values exceed recommended acoustic limits for hospital environments. Spatial analysis suggests that traffic activity and urban commercial operations surrounding the hospital contribute substantially to environmental noise exposure. Comparative analysis with international and African hospital studies indicates that elevated noise levels in healthcare facilities represent a global environmental challenge, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. Conclusion: The study highlights implications for patient recovery, staff productivity, and healthcare environmental management. Policy interventions, including hospital acoustic design improvements, traffic regulation, environmental monitoring programs, and urban planning measures, are recommended to mitigate noise exposure in healthcare environments.

INTRODUCTION

Noise pollution is increasingly recognized as a critical environmental issue in urban areas. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, transportation growth, and population expansion have significantly increased environmental noise levels worldwide. Unlike many other forms of environmental pollution, noise pollution is often underestimated despite its substantial impacts on human health and well-being. Environmental noise is defined as unwanted or harmful sound generated by human activities such as transportation, industrial operations, and urban development. Prolonged exposure to elevated noise levels has been associated with numerous adverse health effects, including sleep disturbance, cardiovascular stress, cognitive impairment, and reduced productivity. Healthcare facilities represent particularly sensitive environments with respect to environmental noise exposure. Hospitals are expected to maintain quiet conditions to facilitate patient recovery, reduce psychological stress, and enable effective communication among healthcare professionals. Excessive noise in hospital environments can disrupt sleep patterns, increase patient anxiety, and interfere with medical procedures. Basner et al.¹ highlighted that environmental noise exposure is associated with both auditory and non-auditory health effects, including sleep disturbance, cardiovascular disease, and reduced cognitive performance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the importance of maintaining low noise levels in hospital environments. The WHO² guidelines recommend that background noise levels in hospital wards should not exceed 35 dBA during the day and 30 dBA at night to maintain optimal healing conditions. However, several studies^3,4 have reported that noise levels in many hospitals significantly exceed these recommended limits. Research conducted in hospitals across Europe, North America, and Asia has documented sound levels ranging between 50 and 70 dBA, highlighting the widespread nature of hospital noise pollution. Hospital environments require quiet conditions to promote patient recovery and effective healthcare delivery. However, numerous studies have reported that hospital noise levels exceed recommended standards. Busch-Vishniac et al.³ conducted a landmark study on hospital noise levels and reported that average noise levels in hospitals had increased significantly over the past several decades. The study found that hospital sound levels often exceed 60 dBA, far above recommended acoustic guidelines. Other studies⁴ conducted in intensive care units and emergency departments have reported noise levels ranging from 55 to 70 dBA, largely due to equipment alarms, staff activities, and patient movement.

In developing countries, environmental noise challenges may be even more pronounced due to rapid urban growth and inadequate urban planning. Many hospitals in African cities are located within densely populated areas characterized by heavy traffic, commercial activities, and high population density. Nigeria, like many developing countries, has experienced significant urban expansion over the past several decades. Increased transportation activities and commercial development have contributed to rising environmental noise levels in many urban areas. Urban environmental noise has also been studied in several African cities. Research conducted in Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa has documented elevated noise levels associated with road traffic and commercial activities⁴. Studies conducted in Lagos and Ibadan have reported environmental noise levels exceeding 70 dBA in busy urban locations. These studies emphasize the role of transportation infrastructure and urban land-use patterns in shaping environmental noise exposure. Hospitals located within densely populated urban areas may therefore experience both internal noise sources and external environmental noise infiltration.

Despite growing concerns about environmental noise pollution, relatively few studies have focused specifically on hospital environments in Nigerian cities. Understanding the acoustic conditions of healthcare facilities is essential for improving environmental health conditions and ensuring effective healthcare service delivery. This study, therefore, investigates environmental noise levels in General Hospital, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, and its surrounding environment. The objectives of this study were to assess environmental noise levels within different hospital departments, evaluate noise exposure in the surrounding urban environment, compare the observed noise levels with recommended international standards, and discuss the implications of environmental noise pollution for healthcare environments and urban environmental management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study area and duration: The study was conducted in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State in southwestern Nigeria, between 1st March and 14th March 2024. Akure has experienced significant urban growth in recent decades, resulting in increased transportation activity and commercial development. General Hospital, Akure, is a major public healthcare facility serving a large population within the city. The hospital is located near several busy urban roads and commercial areas, making it susceptible to environmental noise exposure.

Noise data collection: Noise measurements were conducted at twenty monitoring locations, including fourteen hospital departments and six surrounding urban locations. Sound levels were measured using a sound level meter (GB: 2266204, made in China) following standard environmental noise monitoring procedures⁵. For each location, the following parameters were recorded: Minimum noise level (dBA) and maximum noise level (dBA).

To categorize the measured noise levels, the recorded sound pressure levels expressed in A-weighted decibels (dBA) were compared with commonly used environmental noise classification ranges reported in environmental acoustics literature and international noise guidelines. After field measurements were obtained using a calibrated sound level meter⁵, the minimum, maximum, and mean noise levels were calculated for each monitoring location. The mean sound level (LAeq) for each site was then used as the representative value for classification.

Noise exposure risk classification: The classification procedure involved grouping the measured noise values into standard environmental noise categories such as quiet (<40 dBA), moderate (40-55 dBA), high (55-70 dBA), and very high (>70 dBA)⁶. These categories were adopted from environmental noise assessment frameworks widely referenced in environmental health and urban noise studies. Each monitoring location was assigned to the appropriate noise category based on its calculated mean sound level. Following classification, the categorized values were used to interpret the severity of noise exposure within the hospital environment and surrounding locations⁷. The categorized noise levels also supported the development of graphical representations such as noise exposure risk charts and spatial distribution maps. This classification approach allows researchers to easily compare measured noise levels with international environmental health recommendations and to identify locations where sound levels exceed acceptable thresholds for sensitive environments such as hospitals.

Data analysis: Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to evaluate noise level variation across monitoring locations. Statistical parameters included: Minimum noise level, maximum noise level, mean noise level, and standard deviation were determined using Minitab Statistical Software 22.

Spatial visualization techniques, including noise distribution charts and risk classification diagrams, were used to illustrate noise exposure patterns.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Noise levels within hospital departments ranged from 56.95 to 71.10 dBA (Table 1). The laboratory recorded the highest mean noise level (71.10 dBA), while the Eye Clinic recorded the lowest value (56.95 dBA) as shown in Table 2. Other departments, such as the Accounts unit, Dental Clinic, and Pharmacy, also recorded relatively high noise levels. These values exceed recommended acoustic levels for hospital environments. In Fig. 1, the Laboratory registered the highest noise pollution index at approximately 24.5 dBA, followed closely by the NHIS Clinic (~21.5 dBA). Conversely, the lowest noise levels were recorded at CAC Irowo (~5.3 dBA) and the Aquinas College Gate (~6.5 dBA), showing that indoor hospital environments generally experienced higher noise ranges than the surrounding outdoor monitoring locations.

Fig. 1: Spatial distribution of noise pollution index (NPI) across clinical and public monitoring locations

Table 1:

Noise levels across monitoring locations

Location	Min (dBA)	Max (dBA)	Mean (dBA)
Account	61.1	80.6	70.85
Pharmacy	56.6	73.6	65.1
Laboratory	58.8	83.4	71.1
Eye Clinic	47.3	66.6	56.95
Female Surgical Ward	48.3	69.3	58.8
Female Medical Ward	54.7	74.2	64.45
Chest Clinic	59.2	70.5	64.85
Dental Clinic	55.9	74.8	65.35
Critical Care	50.1	68.2	59.15
O and G	56.3	72.5	64.4
Family Planning	53.7	69.5	61.6
Male Surgical Ward	52.3	68.8	60.55
Male Medical Ward	48.9	69.6	59.25
NHIS Clinic	49.4	70.9	60.15
NEPA Roundabout	72.1	80.1	76.1
Irowo Roundabout	69.5	79.9	74.7
Oluwatuyi Roundabout	71.3	78.5	74.9
Aquinas College Gate	73.5	80	76.75
CAC Irowo	71.1	76.4	73.75
Ondo State Primary School	70.9	80	75.45
O and G: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, CAC: Christ Apostolic Church, NHIS: National Health Insurance Scheme and NEPA: National Electric Power Authority

Table 2:

Overall noise statistics

Parameter	Minimum (dBA)	Maximum (dBA)	Mean (dBA)	Std. Deviation
Minimum noise	47.3	73.5	59.05	9.1
Maximum noise	66.6	83.4	74.37	5.14
Estimated mean noise	56.95	76.75	66.71	6.8

Table 3:

Comparative noise statistics

Category	Mean minimum (dBA)	Mean maximum (dBA)	Mean noise level (dBA)	Std. Deviation
Hospital units (n = 14)	53.76	72.32	63.04	4.33
Vicinity locations (n = 6)	71.4	79.15	75.28	1.07

Table 4:

Noise level classification

Noise level (dBA)	Category
<40	Quiet
40-55	Moderate
55-70	Noisy
>70	Very noisy

Table 3 presents the comparative statistical analysis of the measured noise levels across the monitored locations within General Hospital, Akure, and its surrounding environment. The table summarizes key statistical parameters, including the minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation, which provide insight into the overall acoustic characteristics of the study area. The results indicate that the hospital units recorded moderate to relatively high mean noise levels, while the surrounding urban locations exhibited considerably higher average sound levels. This pattern suggests that external environmental noise sources, particularly road traffic and urban activities, significantly influence the hospital’s acoustic environment⁴. The variation between minimum and maximum values across the monitoring locations also reflects the dynamic nature of noise generation within healthcare facilities, where operational activities, human movement, and equipment usage contribute to fluctuations in sound levels throughout the day. The standard deviation values further demonstrate variability in noise exposure across departments, indicating that certain units experience more intense acoustic disturbances than others. Overall, the comparative statistical results highlight the presence of persistent environmental noise within and around the hospital environment, emphasizing the need for improved noise management strategies in healthcare settings.

Table 4 presents the classification of the measured environmental noise levels based on standard noise exposure ranges commonly applied in environmental acoustics studies. By categorizing the measured sound levels into defined noise classes⁶, the table provides a clearer interpretation of the severity and distribution of noise exposure across the monitoring locations. The results indicate that a significant proportion of the hospital departments fall within the high noise category, while several surrounding locations are classified within the very high noise category. This classification pattern demonstrates that the acoustic conditions in the hospital environment exceed levels generally considered desirable for sensitive healthcare settings⁷.

The classification approach facilitates the identification of locations where noise exposure may pose potential concerns for patient comfort, staff performance, and overall healthcare service delivery. Areas classified under higher noise categories may experience greater acoustic disturbances due to operational activities, human movement, and external environmental noise sources. In particular, the higher classification levels observed in the surrounding locations suggest that urban environmental factors, such as vehicular traffic and commercial activities, contribute substantially to the noise burden around the hospital premises. The noise classification framework presented in Table 4 therefore provides a practical tool for interpreting environmental noise data and supports the development of targeted noise management and mitigation strategies within healthcare environments.

Figure 2 illustrates the noise exposure risk classification results. The distribution of acoustic risk levels across the monitored locations within General Hospital, Akure, and its surrounding environment. The analysis indicates that several hospital units fall within moderate to high noise exposure categories (Table 4 Noise Level Classification), while the external locations surrounding the hospital generally exhibit higher risk classifications. This pattern suggests that environmental noise exposure within the hospital is influenced not only by internal operational activities but also by external urban noise sources. Areas located closer to major access roads and transportation corridors show elevated risk levels, reflecting the contribution of vehicular traffic and urban activities to environmental noise conditions⁸.

Fig. 2: Noise exposure risk classification

The results also demonstrate spatial variation in noise exposure across different hospital departments. Units characterized by higher operational activity, equipment usage, and frequent human movement exhibit relatively higher exposure risk values compared with quieter clinical areas. Such variability highlights the importance of understanding how functional hospital spaces influence acoustic environments and occupational noise exposure.

From a public health perspective, the observed noise exposure risk levels may have implications for both patients and healthcare personnel. Prolonged exposure to elevated environmental noise can contribute to sleep disturbance, increased stress, and reduced comfort among patients undergoing treatment. In addition, continuous exposure to high background noise may affect staff concentration, communication efficiency, and overall workplace performance. The World Health Organization has emphasized the need to maintain relatively low noise levels in healthcare environments to support patient recovery and effective healthcare delivery⁹.

The findings, therefore, underscore the importance of implementing targeted noise mitigation strategies within hospital environments. Measures such as improved building acoustics, strategic placement of sensitive departments away from major noise sources, and urban traffic management near healthcare facilities could help reduce noise exposure risks. Integrating environmental noise monitoring with spatial analysis techniques may also support more effective planning and management of hospital acoustic environments in rapidly growing urban settings.

Table 5 presents a comparative analysis of hospital noise levels reported in different countries alongside the measurements obtained in the present study conducted at General Hospital, Akure, Nigeria. The results indicate that the mean noise level recorded within hospital departments in this study (63.04 dBA) falls within the range commonly reported in healthcare facilities globally, where hospital noise levels typically vary between approximately 55 and 70 dBA^10,14. This similarity suggests that elevated noise levels in hospital environments represent a widespread environmental challenge rather than a problem confined to specific geographic regions. However, the surrounding areas of the hospital in Akure recorded considerably higher mean noise levels exceeding 75 dBA, indicating a strong influence of external urban noise sources. Hospitals located within densely populated urban areas are often exposed to traffic activities, commercial operations, and other forms of urban infrastructure that contribute to environmental noise. Such conditions may lead to the infiltration of external noise into hospital buildings, thereby increasing overall sound exposure within healthcare environments.

Table 5:

Comparison of hospital noise levels in different countries

Country	Study location/ Hospital environment	Mean noise level reported (dBA)	Comparison with present study (Akure: 63.04 dBA hospital mean; 75.28 dBA surroundings)	References
Nigeria	General Hospital, Akure (present study)	63.04 dBA (hospital units); 75.28 dBA (vicinity)	Baseline study values	Present study
United States	Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati (ICU)	71.9 dBA	Higher than hospital units in Akure, but comparable to external noise levels	Galindo et al.10
Canada	Hospital of Manitoba ICU	~68 dBA	Slightly higher than the Akure hospital mean but lower than the surrounding urban noise	Galindo et al.10
Austria	Hospital ICU Environment	60-65 dBA	Similar to the Akure hospital units	Galindo et al.10
Spain	University Hospital, Valencia	~55 dBA	Lower than the Akure hospital noise levels	Galindo et al.10
China	General Hospital Wards	57.3-63.9 dBA	Comparable to the Akure hospital mean values	Deng and Zeng11
South Korea	Adult ICU, Tertiary Hospital	51.6-58.5 dBA	Lower than the Akure hospital mean noise levels	Yun et al.12
Colombia	University Hospital ICU (Santa Marta)	~68 dBA	Slightly higher than the Akure hospital units	Galindo et al.10
Pakistan	Public and private hospitals (Lahore)	Departments vary; elevated levels across hospitals	Similar pattern of excessive noise in developing-country hospitals	Baqar et al.13
Republic of Congo	ICU noise measurements	68-81 dBA	Higher than the Akure hospital mean and comparable to high- noise departments	Nyembwe et al.14
Brazil	Pediatric ICU	60-70 dBA	Comparable to Akure hospital units	Nyembwe et al.14

The findings have important implications for both healthcare management and urban environmental planning. Excessive noise levels may interfere with patient recovery by disrupting sleep, increasing stress, and reducing overall comfort within hospital environments¹⁵. High background noise can also affect communication among healthcare professionals and may contribute to occupational stress^15,16. The World Health Organization recommends relatively low background noise levels in hospital wards to support effective healthcare delivery, yet the comparison presented in Table 5 indicates that many hospitals worldwide exceed these recommended limits. Consequently, improved hospital acoustic design, noise management practices, and urban planning measures are necessary to reduce environmental noise exposure in healthcare facilities.

Table 6 presents a comparative synthesis of the major sources of hospital noise identified in previous international studies and those observed in the present study at General Hospital, Akure, Nigeria. The table indicates that many of the noise sources documented in earlier research are also evident in the current investigation, suggesting a consistent pattern of hospital noise generation across different healthcare systems. Internal sources such as medical equipment operation, staff communication, patient and visitor activities, and routine hospital operations have been widely recognized as major contributors to hospital noise environments. In the present study, similar activities including equipment usage in clinical units, staff interactions in administrative and clinical departments, and patient movement in outpatient areas were observed to contribute to elevated sound levels within the hospital.

The comparison also highlights the role of infrastructural elements such as door movement, trolley transport, and internal logistics, which can produce intermittent noise peaks within hospital buildings. These findings are consistent with earlier hospital acoustic studies, including those conducted by Busch-Vishniac et al.³, Johansson et al.¹⁸, and Busch-Vishniac¹⁹, which identified equipment alarms and operational activities as dominant noise sources in healthcare environments. In addition to internal sources, the table demonstrates the strong influence of external environmental noise, particularly transportation activities and urban commercial operations. The present study shows that road traffic and surrounding urban activities are major contributors to the high environmental noise levels recorded near the hospital premises.

Table 6:

Sources of hospital noise identified in previous studies vs present study (General Hospital, Akure, Nigeria)

Noise source category	Specific noise sources identified in previous studies	Countries/Study locations	Evidence from previous studies	Observation in present study (General Hospital, Akure)	References
Medical equipment	Ventilators, patient monitors, infusion pumps, alarms, oxygen systems	USA, Canada, Brazil	Medical device alarms are among the most frequent sources of ICU noise	Equipment activity and diagnostic equipment contribute to elevated noise in laboratory and clinical units	Adesola et al.17
Staff activities	Conversations among nurses and doctors, staff movement, shift change communication	USA, Spain, Austria	Staff communication identified as a major contributor to hospital ward noise	Staff interactions and administrative activities contribute to noise in accounts, pharmacy, and clinical units	Busch-Vishniac et al.3
Patient- related activities	Patient movement, visitors, patient conversations	Brazil, China	Patient and visitor activities increase daytime noise levels in wards	Visitor and patient activities contribute to moderate noise levels	Basner et al.1
Building infrastructure	Doors closing, carts, trolley movement, bed wheels	USA, Taiwan	Mechanical and structural sources produce intermittent noise peaks	Movement of hospital equipment and doors contributes to fluctuations in some units	Busch-Vishniac et al.3
Hospital operations	Cleaning activities, waste collection, internal transport	Spain, China	Routine operational activities increase background noise levels	Operational activities observed during working hours contribute to noise variability	Basner et al.1
External transportation	Road traffic, motorcycles, buses, ambulance sirens	Nigeria, Pakistan, India	Hospitals located near roads experience elevated environmental noise levels	Major contributor to high noise levels recorded in surrounding hospital environment (up to ~76 dBA)	WHO2
Urban commercial activities	Markets, street vendors, commercial services	Nigeria, Pakistan	Urban commercial zones increase environmental noise near healthcare facilities	Nearby urban commercial activities likely contribute to surrounding noise levels	WHO2
Construction and infrastructure development	Urban construction equipment and building activities	China, Taiwan	Construction activities can produce temporary high noise levels	Not dominant during monitoring but possible in urban development phases	Basner et al.1
Emergency services movement	Ambulance sirens and emergency vehicle	USA, UK	Emergency departments experience intermittent noise spikes near high noise levels	Ambulance movements contribute to occasional hospital entrances	Busch-Vishniac et al.3
Environmental background noise	Urban ambient noise from mixed land use	Global urban hospitals	Background urban noise contributes to elevated baseline sound levels	Significant influence observed in surrounding hospital locations	WHO2

Fig. 3: Comparison of observed noise levels with WHO standards

The implications of these findings are significant for healthcare management and environmental planning. Continuous exposure to multiple noise sources within hospital environments may negatively affect patient comfort, disrupt sleep, and interfere with effective communication among healthcare professionals. From an environmental management perspective, the results suggest that hospital noise mitigation requires both internal acoustic management strategies such as regulating staff noise, maintaining medical equipment alarms, and improving building acoustics and external urban planning measures, including traffic control and land-use regulation around healthcare facilities. International environmental health guidance provided by the World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of maintaining low background noise levels in healthcare environments to promote patient recovery and staff efficiency. Therefore, reducing hospital noise pollution will require coordinated interventions involving hospital administrators, environmental regulators, and urban planners to create acoustically supportive healthcare environments in rapidly urbanizing cities.

Comparison of observed noise levels with recommended international standards: Environmental noise guidelines developed by WHO provide benchmark limits for acceptable sound levels in sensitive environments such as hospitals. The World Health Organization recommends that background noise levels in hospital wards should not exceed 35 dBA during the daytime and 30 dBA at night to ensure optimal conditions for patient recovery and healthcare delivery. The findings of the present study (Fig. 3) indicate that noise levels recorded within the departments of General Hospital, Akure ranged between 56.95 and 71.10 dBA, with a mean value of 63.04 dBA. These values are considerably higher than the recommended limits for hospital environments. In addition, the surrounding hospital environment recorded even higher noise levels ranging from 73.75 to 76.75 dBA, with an average of 75.28 dBA. The comparison between measured noise levels and recommended standards clearly shows that both internal hospital areas and surrounding environments experience noise exposure far exceeding acceptable limits^18,19. In many hospital units, the recorded sound levels were nearly two times higher than recommended background noise levels. Such elevated sound levels may be attributed to a combination of internal operational activities and external environmental noise sources, including vehicular traffic, human movement, equipment operation, and urban commercial activities near the hospital premises.

The high environmental noise levels recorded in the surrounding locations further suggest that the hospital is situated within an acoustically active urban environment, where road traffic and commercial activities significantly contribute to background noise levels. These results are consistent with findings from hospital noise studies conducted in other urban areas around the world^3,20, which frequently report sound levels above recommended limits. Previous research has demonstrated that hospital environments often experience sound levels between 50 and 70 dBA, indicating that excessive hospital noise represents a widespread environmental issue.

Implications of environmental noise pollution for healthcare environments: Environmental noise pollution within healthcare facilities can have significant consequences for both patients and healthcare professionals. Hospitals are expected to provide quiet environments that facilitate healing, rest, and effective medical care. However, elevated noise levels may disrupt these conditions in several ways. One major implication relates to patient recovery and well-being. Excessive noise levels may interfere with sleep patterns, increase stress levels, and contribute to psychological discomfort among hospitalized patients. Sleep disruption has been identified as one of the most common effects of hospital noise exposure, particularly in wards where patients require extended periods of rest²¹.

Another important concern involves communication efficiency among healthcare professionals. High background noise levels can interfere with verbal communication between medical staff, potentially affecting coordination and decision-making during patient care activities. Environmental noise may also influence healthcare worker productivity and performance²⁰. Continuous exposure to elevated noise levels may increase fatigue, reduce concentration, and contribute to occupational stress among medical personnel. Additionally, excessive hospital noise may negatively affect medical equipment alarms and auditory signals, making it difficult for staff to detect important warning sounds in clinical environments.

Implications for urban environmental management: The results of this study also highlight important considerations for urban environmental management and planning. The high noise levels recorded in the hospital surroundings indicate that urban environmental noise can significantly influence the acoustic conditions of healthcare facilities. Hospitals located near major transportation corridors or commercial areas are particularly vulnerable to environmental noise exposure^21,22. Urban traffic, commercial activities, and population density often generate persistent background noise that can penetrate hospital buildings and affect internal acoustic conditions. These findings suggest that urban planning policies should consider acoustic protection measures for sensitive institutions such as hospitals, schools, and residential areas. Zoning regulations that restrict high-noise activities near healthcare facilities could help reduce environmental noise exposure.

Furthermore, transportation management strategies such as traffic calming measures, improved road infrastructure, and vehicle noise regulations could contribute to reducing environmental noise levels in urban areas. Environmental monitoring programs are also important for tracking noise pollution trends and supporting evidence-based policy interventions^23,24. Regular noise assessments around hospitals can help authorities identify major noise sources and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.

The comparison with international standards demonstrates that environmental noise levels in General Hospital, Akure, substantially exceed recommended limits for healthcare environments. These findings highlight the need for integrated strategies involving hospital management, urban planners, and environmental regulators to reduce noise pollution and improve acoustic conditions within healthcare facilities. Addressing environmental noise pollution is therefore essential not only for public health protection but also for improving the quality of healthcare delivery and urban environmental sustainability.

Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations are proposed to reduce environmental noise levels in hospital environments and improve urban environmental management. Hospital management should develop and enforce internal noise control policies that regulate staff communication, equipment use, and routine clinical activities to ensure a quieter healthcare setting. In addition, hospital infrastructure should be improved through the incorporation of acoustic-friendly designs such as sound-absorbing ceilings, wall panels, and enhanced insulation of doors and windows to minimize internal noise transmission. Regular environmental noise monitoring should also be established to continuously assess noise levels and identify major sources of disturbance, thereby supporting effective intervention strategies. At the urban level, traffic management measures, including speed regulation, restriction of heavy-duty vehicles near hospital premises, and improved road planning, should be implemented to reduce external noise pollution. Urban zoning and land-use policies should further ensure that hospitals and other sensitive facilities are protected from nearby commercial and high-traffic developments. Public awareness campaigns and staff training programs are also necessary to promote behaviors that support a quieter hospital environment. Furthermore, environmental noise management should be strengthened within national environmental and public health policies to ensure regulatory compliance and long-term sustainability. Finally, future research should expand noise monitoring to multiple hospitals and urban settings using advanced tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support more comprehensive and evidence-based environmental planning.

CONCLUSION

This study assessed environmental noise pollution in General Hospital, Akure, and its surrounding urban environment. The findings revealed that noise levels within the hospital ranged from 56.95 to 71.10 dBA, while surrounding urban areas recorded even higher levels, averaging 75.28 dBA. These values significantly exceed the World Health Organization’s recommended limits for hospital settings. The results indicate that both internal hospital activities and external urban factors contribute to elevated noise levels. Key internal sources include staff movement, patient activity, and equipment use, while external sources include traffic and commercial activities. The hospital’s location near busy roads and commercial centers further intensifies noise exposure. Such high noise levels may negatively affect patient recovery, sleep quality, and communication among healthcare workers. Overall, the study highlights environmental noise pollution as a serious public health concern requiring urgent mitigation in urban healthcare environments.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author expresses sincere gratitude to Temitope Akinjagunla (Research Assistant) for his role during the field assessment.

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