Prevalence of Functional Dysphonia in Teachers from Argentina

Abstract

Objectives: to find out the frequency of vocal pathology at teachers from schools in the city of Esperanza, to establish differences according to age and sex, to identify risk factors associated with the professional use of the voice and to describe the pathologies caused by vocal use as a working tool. Material and methods: observational, descriptive study of cross-section, based on data obtained through surveys to professional teachers, belonging to twelve primary and secondary schools located in the city of Esperanza, province of Santa Fe, between February and May, 2012. Results: of the 238 studied teachers, a prevalence of vocal pathology of 16.8% was found without finding statistically significant differences according to age and sex. The main vocal disorders referrals were the functional dysphonia (55%) and nodules (22.5%). The risk factors identified with high values were: loud, dry and cold work environment; exposure to chalk dust; diseases of the airways and taking prescribed medications. A prevalence that ranged from 21.4% to 68.9% from the total teachers noted symptoms of vocal alteration. Conclusion: the prevalence of vocal Pathology at teachers of the city of Esperanza was less than expected, in comparison to the scientific literature reviewed. However, it was observed that a large number of teachers that referred symptoms of vocal condition. Promotion and prevention of these pathologies associated to the voice are not met due to the lack of training teachers for a correct use of their voice.