The Assessment of Perception and Effect of Helicopter Noise in Mgbuoshimini Community, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study explored the assessment of perception and effect of helicopter noise in Mgbuoshimini, Nigeria. A community social survey was conducted to determine whether there is a significant relationship between helicopter noise on the one hand and health, annoyance, daytime nap, night sleep, speech interference, and students' concentration on the other. The sample size was calculated using Taro Yamane's formula, which allowed for 98 percent accuracy, and 2500 questionnaires were distributed using the stratified random sampling method. However, only 1862 questionnaires were returned (representing a 74.5 percent response rate). The study's findings revealed that helicopter flyover noise has a variety of effects on the residents of Mgbuoshimini Community, including adverse health effects, annoyance, day sleep disruption, speech interference, and students' concentration. This also implies that there may be other health issues associated with airport noise that respondents are not aware of. As a result, the study suggests that the Nigeria Orientation Agency or other relevant government agencies inform and educate the residents of Mgbuoshimini Community about the effects of helicopter noise on their health.