Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ̒Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Bābul (Jan 2009)
INFLUENCE OF AIRCRAFT NOISE ON HYPERTENSION IN AIRPORT STAFF
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Noise is one of risk factors threatening health, which can affect on blood pressure. Dwellers surrounding airport and pilots are more susceptible to hypertension, because they are exposed to noise chronically. The objective of this study was to determine the relation between ranges of aircraft noise exposure and incidence of hypertension in airport staff.METHODS: This case-control study was done on 145 personnel of airport who exposed to aircraft noise as case, and 132 personnel as a control that was no exposed to noise. All of subjects were men and controls were similar in regard to demographic factors with cases. The blood pressure of subjects was measured by an experienced nurse in two sequences when the subjects were in relaxation and sitting situation. The period time between each measurement was ten minutes. The blood pressure of subjects were divided into normal, high normal, stage I hypertension, stage II hypertension, stage III hypertension and abnormal hypertension. Noise exposure assessment carried out with cel-440 sound meter and then Leg was calculated. After completing questionnaire, data was analyzed. FINDINGS: The results showed that the mean of systolic hypertension in case group was 12.3±1.3 while in controls was 11.6±0.9 that there was a significant relationship between them. The mean of diastolic in case and controls were 7.9±0.8 and 8±0.7 respectively and there was not a significant difference. The prevalence odds ratio for high abnormal hypertension was 16.4 (95% CI: 2.3 to 21.5) among airport staff versus controls.CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that exposure to noise higher than permissible value in different parts of airport causes an increase in systolic blood pressure. Therefore, in order to prevent cardiovascular disorders, worker’s blood pressure must be investigated continually.
