Factors associated with voice disorders among women teachers

This study aimed to identify risk factors for voice disorders (hoarseness in the previous six months as an initial manifestation, and vocal cord nodules as a more severe manifestation of overt disease) among teachers. The cross-sectional study included 747 women teachers from elementary and middle s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cadernos de saúde pública 2008-06, Vol.24 (6), p.1229
Main Authors: Araújo, Tânia Maria de, Reis, Eduardo José Farias Borges dos, Carvalho, Fernando Martins, Porto, Lauro Antonio, Reis, Israel Costa, Andrade, Jonathan Moura de
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Subjects:
Adult
Age Distribution
Brazil - epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Diseases - etiology
Occupational Health
Prevalence
Socioeconomic Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Teaching
Time Factors
Voice Disorders - epidemiology
Voice Disorders - etiology
Workplace
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Summary:This study aimed to identify risk factors for voice disorders (hoarseness in the previous six months as an initial manifestation, and vocal cord nodules as a more severe manifestation of overt disease) among teachers. The cross-sectional study included 747 women teachers from elementary and middle schools in the public school system in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia State, Brazil. Data were collected using a self-applied, standardized questionnaire. Hoarseness in the previous six months was reported by 59.2% of teachers and vocal cord nodules by 12.9%. Logistic regression techniques showed that hoarseness was statistically associated with > 24 classroom hours per week, work in more than one school, and having to make an effort to speak. Vocal cord nodules were associated with working > 5 years as a teacher, work in more than one school, working at another job besides teaching, and having to make an effort to speak. In conclusion, voice disorders are frequent among schoolteachers and are associated with multiple occupational risk factors, besides purely biological ones.
ISSN:0102-311X
DOI:10.1590/S0102-311X2008000600004