Perceived Impacts of Noise, on Residents of Selected Communities in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Elenwo E.I., and Anyanwu C.O.

Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Faculty of social Science University of Port Harcourt,P.M.B.5323, Choba , Rivers State, Nigeria.

Accepted February 12, 2019

The study examined noise pollution and its perceived impacts on residents of selected communities in Obio/Akpor local government Port Harcourt. The method adopted was cross sectional survey as well as direct field measurement. A total of 352 copies of questionnaires were administered on the residents of selected communities randomly to elicit information on their perception towards noise pollution. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The WHO permissible standards were compared with the mean noise values in the communities. Findings revealed that there was a significant variation of noise in the study area in the morning (t=8.422; p<0.05), afternoon (t=2.965; p<0.05), evening (t=12.508; p<0.05) and night (t=17.200; p<0.05). Similarly, significant variation existed in the noise levels in the day (L_D) (t=8.572; p<0.05) and night (L_N) (t=16.048; p<0.05) between the observed and WHO permissible limits. The evening period recorded the least mean daily noise level of (70.5 dBA) while the night recorded (73.6dBA). There was no significant variation of noise in the morning, afternoon, evening and night amongst the selected communities. Similarly, the noise levels of day (L_D) and night (L_N) did not show any significant variation. 46.0% of respondents agreed that electric power generator is the major source of noise pollution in the area. Findings also revealed that 77% agreed to annoyance effect, 86.6% headache, 90.4% speech and communication interference, 88.3% hearing impairment.

Key words: Perceived, Noise, Impact, Residents, Obio/Akpor.

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