Primary school teachers are at risk to suffer from dysphonia

Abstract

Occupational voice users such as teachers may have symptoms of voice soreness, hoarseness, weakness, sorethroat and aphonia resulting in a reduction in job functioning and performance. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of dysphonia and its associated factors among primary school teachers in a district in Northeastern Malaysia. This cross sectional study evaluated 331 teachers from eight primary schools that were randomly sampled. A questionnaire which included the translated and validated malay-Voice Handicap Index 10 (m-VHI-10) as well as sociodemographic and occupational characteristics was distributed and self-administered. Participants who had m-VHI-10 score of 12 or more were classified as having dysphonia. It was found that the prevalence of dysphonia among primary school teachers was 7.9 percent.Hours of teaching per week [OR: 1.04 (95% CI 1.01, 1.08): p=0.028] and having more than four children [OR: 2.38 (95% CI 1.03, 5.51) p=0.042]were significantly associated with dysphonia among primary school teachers. In conclusion, the prevalence of dysphonia among primary school teachers in our population was relatively low as compared to other countries. However, this established occupational health problem should not be undermined but need more awareness and interventional efforts in order to prevent an escalation in the magnitude of this disorder.

Keywords: Dysphonia; voice handicap index; primary school teachers.