Noise annoyance, sociodemographic and health patterns, and neighborhood perceptions in a Brazilian metropolis: BH Health Study

ABSTRACT Objective: The present study aims to analyze the association of noise annoyance with individual and sociodemographic factors and self-perception of the neighborhood in an urban center. Methods: Data were collected through a population-based cross-sectional study held in two of the nine health districts in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, from 2008 to 2009. The study included 3,934 individuals of both genders, aged 18 years and older. The response variable was the self-perception of noise, investigated by the question: “In your neighborhood, does the noise bother you?” The explanatory variables were grouped into the following domains: sociodemographic, social determinants, self-rated health, and self-reported diseases. Results: The prevalence of noise annoyance was 47% for women and 39.8% for men. For both genders, noise annoyance was independently associated with bad traffic and the presence of loud music, discussions, and late-night parties. Conclusion: Gender differences were identified in the association of noise annoyance with sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported morbidity. Traffic and social customs were the main sources of noise in the regions under study.