Occupational risk factors associated with voice disorders among teachers

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the occupational risk factors associated with voice disorders among schoolteachers, a high-risk population for developing voice problems. METHODS: Telephone interviews were completed by 1243 teachers from Utah and Iowa. Response rates were 98% and 95%, respectively. Bivariate analyses were computed and assessed using chi-square test and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test, and logistic regression analyses were performed and resulting odds ratios assessed using 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Teachers of vocal music, drama, other performing arts and chemistry were at significantly greater risk of having a voice disorder (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2-4.0; OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 0.9-4.8; OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0-2.4; OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.4), while teachers of special and vocational education had a significantly lower risk (OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.7; OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9). When adjusted for the intensity of vocalization, only teachers of chemistry were significantly at risk (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.5) while teachers of special education continued to have less of a risk (OR = 0.5, 95% Cl: 0.4-0.8). Chronic voice disorders were more prevalent among teachers of vocal music (OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.2-7.9) and less prevalent among teachers of vocational education (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that teachers of specific courses are at greater risk of developing a voice disorder. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.