S. ZERIHUN*, H. MAMO**, B. SITOTAW*^#, E. MENGISTU*
*Department of Physics, Dire Dawa University, Ethiopia
**Department of Biology, Dire Dawa University, Ethiopia

Noise pollution consists of any unwanted sound from various sources with numerous effects. Urban noise pollution is one of the challenges of those people that live in the urban area and which causes health and social problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the people perception on major noise source and its impact on health at Dire Dawa city, Ethiopia. Cross-sectional study method and purposive random sampling were applied as well as structured pre-tested questionnaire was developed. The result of this study revealed that the major sources of noise in the city were vehicles, such as three wheel vehicles, automobiles, and trucks. One of the major findings of this study was that people perceptions of noise pollution do not depend on the intensity level of sound, but merely on the people’s interest for that sound. For instance, the noise source from the religious institute was not considered as a noise for the follower of that religion, but it was considered as a noise pollution for others. Moreover, the noise source from recreation centers was not considered as noise pollution for most respondents. Another important finding of this study was the sensory adaptation to the noise of the people. For the people who have lived for a long time around one type of noise source, that noise was not considered as noise pollution, but it was considered as noise pollution for the newcomers. These two important findings of this study disagree with the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for Community Noise and health risks associated with noise pollution [26].
Key words: Noise pollution, noise sources, perceived effects.

Corresponding author’s e-mail: belaysitotaw@gmail.com.

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