Investigation of Voice Disorder Symptoms and their Effects on the Job Performance of Elementary School Teachers

Gharibi, Vahid; Nasouhi, Nafiseh; Badrian, Mahshid; Nikoo, Mahdieh; Jahangiri, Mehdi

doi:10.30476/jhsss.2020.84978.1049

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

² Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/jhsss.2020.84978.1049

Abstract

Background: Teachers are prone to Voice Disorder (VD). The present study aims to investigate the onset of VD symptoms and their effects on the job performance of the elementary school teachers.
Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 121 male and female elementary school teachers in Mobarakeh County during the academic year 2018-2019. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. In doing so, the researchers talked to 10 people composed of qualified experts in occupational health, ergonomics, and health education and a number of teachers about how to design the questions as well as the answer
scale for each section.
Results: In the present study, the prevalence of VD was higher among female teachers (41%) compared to male ones (20%). That is to say, the prevalence of the VD symptoms in female teachers was more than twice that of the male teachers. The study results demonstrated a significant relationship between having a silent resting place and coughing (p=0.028). Accordingly, the prevalence of the symptoms of cough was significantly higher in the teachers who did not have a silent resting place in comparison to those who benefitted from a quiet resting place.
Conclusion: Thus, it is recommended that safety, occupational health, and ergonomic programs should be designed for teachers at the Ministry of Education in collaboration with concerned specialists. Periodic examinations, identification of teachers with disorders, culturalization, and education are among the themes of these programs.

Keywords

References

1. Martins RHG, Pereira ERBN, Hidalgo CB, Tavares ELM. Voice Disorders in Teachers. A Review. Journal of Voice. 2014;28(6):716-24.

2. Behlau M, Zambon F, Guerrieri AC, Roy N. Epidemiology of Voice Disorders in Teachers and Nonteachers in Brazil: Prevalence and Adverse Effects. Journal of Voice. 2012;26(5):665.e9-.e18.

3. Boone DR, McFarlane SC, Berg SLV. The voice and voice therapy: Pearson Education; 2014.

4. Speyer R. Effects of Voice Therapy: A Systematic Review. Journal of Voice. 2008;22(5):565-80.

5. Roy N, Merrill RM, Thibeault S, Gray SD, Smith EM. Voice disorders in teachers and the general population: effects on work performance, attendance, and future career choices. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2004;47(3):542-51.

6. Shakeri N, Khoddami SM, Radaee M, Jahani Y. Voice problems and its risk factors in primary school teachers. Journal of Modern Rehabilitation. 2015;9(2):35-43.

7. Södersten M, Lindhe C, editors. Voice ergonomics-an overview of recent research. 39th Nordic Ergonomics Society Conference; 2007.

8. Sadri Khanlou M, Monazzam M, Azam K, Mortezapour A, Zakerian SA. Vocal Disorders and Risk Factors Affecting It: Voice Ergonomics in Teachers. Journal of Health and Safety at Work. 2019;9(3):241-24.

9. Roy N, Merrill RM, Thibeault S, Gray SD, Smith EM. Voice Disorders in Teachers and the General Population. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2004;47(3):542-51.

10. Pasa G, Oates J, Dacakis G. The relative effectiveness of vocal hygiene training and vocal function exercises in preventing voice disorders in primary school teachers. Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology. 2007;32(3):128-40.

11. Cantor Cutiva LC, Vogel I, Burdorf A. Voice disorders in teachers and their associations with work-related factors: A systematic review. Journal of Communication Disorders. 2013;46(2):143-55.

12. Lee SY-y, Lao XQ, Yu IT-s. A cross-sectional survey of voice disorders among primary school teachers in Hong Kong. Journal of occupational health. 2010;52(6):344-52.

13. Sliwinska-Kowalska M, Niebudek-Bogusz E, Fiszer M, Los-Spychalska T, Kotylo P, Sznurowska-Przygocka B, et al. The Prevalence and Risk Factors for Occupational Voice Disorders in Teachers. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica. 2006;58(2):85-101.

14. Madandar arani A, Navid M, Ranaei M. A Comparative Study on the Position of Formal Education System of Islamic Republic of Iran among its Neighboring Countries. Iranian Journal of Comparative Education. 2019;1(3):1-35.

15. minoonejad h. Evaluation of low back pain and its association with physical activity and BMI in teachers. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2019:-.

16. Munier C, Kinsella R. The prevalence and impact of voice problems in primary school teachers. Occupational Medicine. 2007;58(1):74-6.

17. Marçal CCB, Peres MA. Self-reported voice problems among teachers: prevalence and associated factors. Revista de Saúde Pública. 2011;45(3):503-11.

18. Roy N, Merrill RM, Thibeault S, Parsa RA, Gray SD, Smith EM. Prevalence of voice disorders in teachers and the general population. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2004;47(2):281-93.

19. Verdolini K, Ramig LO. Occupational risks for voice problems. Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology. 2001;26(1):37-46.

20. Angelillo IF, Di Maio G, Costa G, Barillari U. Prevalence of occupational voice disorders in teachers. Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene. 2009;50(1).

21. de Medeiros AM, Barreto SM, Assunção AÁ. Voice disorders (dysphonia) in public school female teachers working in Belo Horizonte: prevalence and associated factors. Journal of Voice. 2008;22(6):676-87.

22. Cutiva LCC, Vogel I, Burdorf A. Voice disorders in teachers and their associations with work-related factors: a systematic review. Journal of Communication Disorders. 2013;46(2):143-55.

23. Russell A, Oates J, Greenwood KM. Prevalence of voice problems in teachers. Journal of voice. 1998;12(4):467-79.

24. Da Costa V, Prada E, Roberts A, Cohen S. Voice disorders in primary school teachers and barriers to care. Journal of voice. 2012;26(1):69-76.

25. Baghiyani Moghadam M, Lalegani Z, Morowaty M, Karimi G, Fallah Zade H. Prevalence of disphonia in teachers of elementary schools of Yazd city Iran, and their knowledge and practice to it. Modern Care Journal. 2011;8(2):79-85.

26. Van Houtte E, Claeys S, Wuyts F, Van Lierde K. The impact of voice disorders among teachers: vocal complaints, treatment-seeking behavior, knowledge of vocal care, and voice-related absenteeism. Journal of voice. 2011;25(5):570-5.

Journal of Health Sciences & Surveillance System

Investigation of Voice Disorder Symptoms and their Effects on the Job Performance of Elementary School Teachers

References

References

Volume 7, Issue 2
April 2019
Pages 73-79

Investigation of Voice Disorder Symptoms and their Effects on the Job Performance of Elementary School Teachers

References

References

Volume 7, Issue 2April 2019Pages 73-79

Volume 7, Issue 2
April 2019
Pages 73-79