Impact of Church and Household Noise Pollution on the Mental Health of Residents in Owerri, Imo State

Noise pollution is a pervasive environmental issue with significant implications for human health and well-being. This study investigates the association of noise pollution, particularly emanating from religious activities in churches, on the mental well-being of residents in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was used, allowing for the collection of structured data at a single point in time. The study was conducted in the Owerri Municipal area due to its high density of residential areas and places of worship. The study population comprised two groups of individuals: those residing in close proximity to church houses and those not living in close proximity. The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula, resulting in a sample size of approximately 152 for each group. Data was collected using a self-designed questionnaire titled “Church-House Noise Pollution and Mental Health Association Questionnaire (CHNPMHAQ)”. The questionnaires underwent a rigorous validation process to ensure their validity and reliability. Data was collected by the researcher and three trained research assistants, and was analyzed using tables, mean, and standard deviation. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson correlation. The findings reveal that residents living near church houses perceive frequent disturbance and disruption of peace due to noise pollution, while those farther away are less affected. Noise pollution has significant adverse effects on the mental health of residents living near church houses, leading to increased stress, poor sleep quality, and negative mood changes. However, residents far from church houses reported association on their mental health. Specifically, mean responses for stress levels, sleep quality, and mood changes were 2.78, 2.72, and 2.68 respectively for residents near church houses, while for residents far from church houses, these were 1.60, 1.61, and 1.63, indicating significantly lower impact. These findings underscore the need for mitigation measures to address noise pollution from church houses, particularly for residents living in close proximity, and highlight the importance of tailored interventions to support affected residents' mental well-being.