Voice disorders in teachers. The role of family physicians.
OBJECTIVE
To look at the prevalence and impact of voice problems on teachers and assessing the teachers knowledge on vocal hygiene and habits, as well as which parameters mostly triggered the seeking of medical attention and how family doctors could intervene in this spectrum.


METHODS
A survey that consists of 16 questions was used to look at the prevalence and impact of voice problems on teachers and to identify the associated risk factors at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, during the year 2005.


RESULTS
A considerable proportion (46%) perceived their voice as fair or worse, and 79% had never consulted a throat specialist. Voice disorders affected most of teachers particularly on their job. The mean number of vocal habits per person was estimated at 2.4 with smoking being the most common (38.7%). Two thirds of teachers were unaware of more than half the factors that can negatively affect their voice. Symptoms exceeding 6 months significantly increased the probability of consulting a physician by 2.5 folds.


CONCLUSIONS
Family physicians can reduce the prevalence of vocal dysfunction in teachers through education and by pointing the various symptoms necessitating a specialist's early consultation especially when history of smoking is present.
Hamdan
Abdul-Latif
AL
Department of Otolaryngology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon. alhamdan@svclb.com
Sibai
Abla M
AM
Srour
Zaher M
ZM
Sabra
Omar A
OA
Deeb
Reem A
RA
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching; D014495:Universities; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology