Abstract

MARCAL, Cláudia Cossentino Bruck  and  PERES, Marco Aurélio. Self-reported voice problems among teachers: prevalence and associated factors. Rev. Saúde Pública [online]. 2011, vol.45, n.3, pp. 503-511.  Epub Apr 20, 2011. ISSN 0034-8910.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102011005000025.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported voice problems and to identify associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 393 public elementary and middle school teachers in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil, in 2009. A self-administered questionnaire was used. A multivariable Poisson regression model was performed to estimate prevalence ratios and their related 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of voice problems was 47.6% (95%CI 42.6;52.5). In the final adjusted analysis the following variables remained associated with a higher prevalence of voice problems: being female and the presence of rhinitis/sinusitis and pharyngitis. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of self-reported voice problems was found among the teachers studied.

Keywords : Voice Disorders; epidemiology; Faculty; Occupational Health; Cross-Sectional Studies.