Researcher Ayat Zuhair Obayat, a student in the master’s program in Neonatal Nursing, has defended her thesis titled "The Association between Noise and the Neonatal Physiological and Behavioral Status in NICU at Al -Makassed Hospital, Jerusalem".
The study aimed to explore the relationship between noise levels and the physiological and behavioral status of newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit at Al-Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem. The specific objectives were to identify noise sources, analyze its effects on physiological indicators such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, and evaluate its impact on neonatal behavioral patterns, including sleep habits.
The study used a non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational design to collect data from newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, with a particular focus on those born at a gestational age of 28 weeks to 39 weeks or within these first 28 days of life. The sample included 120 newborns. The researcher measured noise levels during specific periods of noise and quiet using a digital environment measuring device (EM5), and monitored physiological indicators such as heart rate, breathing rate, and oxygen saturation, then evaluated the behavioral states of the newborn using the Anderson Behavioral Status Scale.
Investigation of noise exposure within the neonatal intensive care unit revealed significant effects on physiological and behavioral aspects of neonates. Physiologically, exposure to noise significantly increased heart rate (mean heart rate: 164.07 bpm during noise time vs. 137.87 bpm during quiet time), and respiratory rate (mean heart rate: 52.93 bpm during noise time versus 42.88 bpm during quiet time) as well as lower oxygen saturation levels (average saturation: 83.48% during noise time versus 95.85% during quiet time) during noise hours compared to quiet times. Behaviorally, newborns showed higher levels of activity and lower sleep states during noisy periods. Furthermore, heart rate (r = 0.458, p < 0.05) this positive correlation with the Anderson Behavioral Status Scale, and O2 saturation (r = -0.667, p < 0.05) this negative correlation with the Anderson Behavioral Status Scale and respiratory rate (r = 0.242, p < 0.05) this positive correlation with the Anderson Behavioral Status Scale. Statistical analysis confirmed these differences and highlighted the harmful effects of noise on newborn health in the neonatal intensive care unit environment.
The findings emphasize the harmful effects of noise on the health and well-being of newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. High noise levels were associated with physiological stress and disturbed behavioral states among newborns. Therefore, interventions to mitigate noise exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit are essential to promote optimal developmental outcomes and improve neonatal care practices.
The thesis was supervised by Dr. Mohammad Jallad, and co-supervised by Dr. Ahmad Ayed. The committee of examiners included Dr. Ahmad Batran and Dr. Imad Abu Khader.