The association between road traffic noise exposure, annoyance and health-related quality of life (HRQOL)
Invited paper
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Tuesday 2 june, 2015, 09:40 - 10:00
0.4 Brussels (189)
Abstract:
Background: Quality of life is a relevant factor for mental and physical
health.
Noise annoyance has been associated with a decreased HRQOL and further
negative
health effects.
Methods: In 2008, we enrolled 1375 adults aged between 30 and 60 years and
residing
in the urban and suburban area of Basel, Switzerland. Road traffic noise
exposure
was determined using the SonBASE model in suburban areas and the traffic
cadastre
for the city of Basel. Self-rated annoyance, general health status and
mental health
status were assessed by written questionnaire using a four points Likert
scale, the
von Zerssen score of somatic symptoms and the SF-36 mental health module.
Data were
analysed using multivariable mixed-effects regression models adjusted for
age, sex,
self-reported physical activity, smoking behaviour, education, marital
status and
the noise model used. Upon identification of interaction with sleep
disturbance
score, we built a structural equation model considering the relationships
between
road traffic noise exposure, annoyance to road traffic noise, sleep
disturbance
score and the von Zerssen score of somatic symptoms.
Results: Average road traffic noise exposure expressed as Ldn was 46 dB(A)
with 5.5%
of the study population exposed to noise levels > 70 dB(A). Annoyance to
road
traffic noise was highly associated with road traffic noise exposure. The
association between the von Zerssen score and 10 dB(A) road traffic noise
increase
was borderline significant after adjustment (0.47, 95% CI: -0.01, 0.95). The
von
Zerssen score of somatic complaints and the SF-36 mental health module were
strongly
associated with annoyance to road traffic, industry and neighbourhood noise.
The
structural equation model revealed an indirect association linking physical
noise
exposure to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and sleep disturbances
via
annoyance.
Conclusion: Physical road traffic noise exposure is associated with HRQOL.
Structural equation modelling reveals a strong mediating effect of noise
annoyance.