Public perception on environmental noise pollution: A case study in Zaria city, Kaduna state, Nigeria

Background: One of the key indicators of the degradation of the environment is the noise level. This has necessitated this study on the evaluation of the public, perceptional awareness, sources, effects, and mitigation measures on environmental noise pollution. Methods: The population was estimated and 385 structured questionnaires were estimated and administered by random purposive sampling. About 358 questionnaires were retrieved. Data were analyzed using SPSS and Excel statistical software. Results: About 90.2% of the respondents had relevant awareness and its effects on environmental noise while 9.8% of the respondent did not. Traffic, generators, commercial and light industry sources of noise, and their severity were ranked in a descending order using the Likert scale. Hearing impairment, annoyance, stress, distraction during exposure were ranked in a descending order using the Likert scale. Single-factor ANOVA on the sources of noise and their severity, awareness of the various effects of noise, and responses during exposure showed that there were significant differences as P<0.05 using a confidence level of 95%. About 61.7% of respondents complained of environmental noise, 72.6% respondents received complaints about environmental noise, 87.7% of respondents were not aware of any government agency monitoring noise pollution, 72.2% of the respondents had done nothing regarding noise prevention, and 91.1% respondents wanted a proactive decision in mitigating environmental noise pollution. Conclusion: There is an inadequate coping strategy. Strategic planning in mitigating environmental noise in urban and semi-urban areas is a necessity and there is a need for public enlightenment by government monitoring agencies.