[Prevalence of speech disorders in schoolchildren and its associated factors].
OBJECTIVE
To assess prevalence of speech disorders in schoolchildren and its associated factors.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study comprising a random sample of 1,810 schoolchildren attending the first grade in public schools in a city of Southern Brazil, in 2001. Schoolchildren aged between five and 11 years were evaluated using a previously validated speech screening test for phonetic and/or phonologic disorders. Data on school failure, gender, age and maternal and paternal schooling were collected to test associations. Associations between variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test.


RESULTS
The prevalence of speech disorders in the children studied was 24.6% and they were more prevalent in younger children aged five and six compared to children aged ten or more. Speech disorders prevalence around five years old was 57% and between eight and ten years old was 42%. Speech disorders frequency was similar in both sexes. The prevalence of disorders was associated to maternal and paternal schooling, 79.5% and 78.6%, respectively, when parents had less then one year of study.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of speech disorders among schoolchildren studied was higher than that described in the literature. Parental schooling was a major factor associated to these disorders.
Garcia de Goulart
Bárbara Niegia
BN
Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brasil. bgoulart@via-rs.net
Chiari
Brasília Maria
BM
D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D015995:Prevalence; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*