BACKGROUND: Noise has been found to have non auditory effects. One of the possible non auditory effects of noise is its effect on blood pressure. Available data on the effect of noise on blood pressure has been found to vary. Hence, the aim of this study was to find if there is a predictive effect of noise on blood pressure. METHOD: Study was done among sawmill workers in Ile-Ife. The noise in each sawmill was measured with a sound meter and blood pressure of each participants were recorded. A regression analysis was done using systolic and diastolic blood pressures as dependent variables and noise as the predictor. RESULTS: A total of 420 sawmill workers were recruited into the study with an average age of 33.53±8.59 years. The average noise level in the sawmill was 88±1.87 dB and the average systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 132 ± 21mmHg and 85 ± 13mmHg respectively. There was no significant effect of noise on systolic blood pressure {F (1, 419) = 0.958, P>0.05} but there was a significant effect of noise on diastolic pressure {F (1, 419) = 7.543, P<0.05}. CONCLUSION: This study found that exposure to noise is a predisposing factor to increase in blood pressure.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea is becoming a respiratory disorder of public health concern. Different obesity indices such as Mallampati score, Body Mass Index, neck circumference have been identified in the literature as predictors of obstructive sleep apnoea. Studies on the relationship between these variables is however limited particularly in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between Mallampati score, Body Mass Index and neck circumference which are predictors of obstructive sleep apnoea. Methods: The study was done among commercial drivers. The risk of obstructive sleep apnoea was assessed with Berlin questionnaire. The participants were assessed for Mallampati score, Body Mass Index; their neck circumference was measured and the correlation between these variables was done. Data collated was analyzed with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0 software. Results: There were 105 drivers recruited into this study, they were all males with a mean age of 44.8±12.03 years and 50.5% of the drivers had high risk of sleep apnoea. There was a positive Otoghile et al.; JAMMR, 28(9): 1-5, 2018; Article no.JAMMR.46651 2 correlation between Mallampati score, Body Mass Index and neck circumference. Conclusion: Mallampati score increase with increase in Body Mass Index and neck circumference which are all predictors of obstructive sleep apnoea. Original Research Article