Effect of Noise Control Nursing Guideline on Nurses’ Knowledge, Practices, and Noise Level in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Ragab Elsayed, Nema; Mahfouz Hassan, Asmaa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2025.453585

Effect of Noise Control Nursing Guideline on Nurses’ Knowledge, Practices, and Noise Level in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ 1Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, College of Nursing, Misr University for Science and Technology, Egypt.

² 2Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt.

10.21608/ejhc.2025.453585

Abstract

Background: The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is highly susceptible to harmful noise levels, which can adversely affect neonatal health outcomes. This study aimed to: Evaluate effect of noise control nursing guideline on nurses’ knowledge, practices, and noise level in NICU at Cairo University Children Hospital (El Monira). A quasi-experimental research design (pre and post – test one group) was utilized. A convenience sample of 40 NICU nurses participated in the intervention. Four tools used for data collection: (I) A structured interview questionnaire, (II) A Nurses’ Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire, (III) An observation checklist for nursing practices, and (IV) A noise measurement instrument. The results showed the total mean knowledge scores increased from a pre-intervention average of 30.9 to 42.6 post-intervention, with a slight decline to 41.9 post one month. The total mean Practice scores rose from 29.18 to 36.73 post-intervention and reached 36.98 post one month. All changes were statistically significant (P = 0.000). Noise levels in the NICU significantly decreased following the intervention (P = 0.000). A positive correlation was found between nurses’ knowledge and practice (r = 0.47, p = 0.00), while noise levels showed strong negative correlations with both knowledge (r = –0.97, p = 0.001) and practice (r = –0.96, p = 0.002).Conclusion: The study conclude that, noise control nursing guideline effectively enhanced nurses’ knowledge and practices, contributing to a quieter NICU environment. Recommendation: The study recommended that sustainable implementation of noise control nursing guidelines across neonatal units is essential to enhance staff competency and achieve meaningful reductions in environmental noise levels.

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