title: Factors associated with vocal fold pathologies in teachers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze factors associated with the prevalence of the medical diagnosis of vocal fold pathologies in teachers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A census-based epidemiological, cross-sectional study was conducted with 4,495 public primary and secondary school teachers in the city of Salvador, Northeastern Brazil, between March and April 2006. The dependent variable was the self-reported medical diagnosis of vocal fold pathologies and the independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics; professional activity; work organization/interpersonal relationships; physical work environment characteristics; frequency of common mental disorders, measured by the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20 >7); and general health conditions. Descriptive statistical, bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis techniques were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of self-reported medical diagnosis of vocal fold pathologies was 18.9%. In the logistic regression analysis, the variables that remained associated with this medical diagnosis were as follows: being female, having worked as a teacher for more than seven years, excessive voice use, reporting more than five unfavorable physical work environment characteristics and presence of common mental disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of self-reported vocal fold pathologies was associated with factors that point out the need of actions that promote teachers' vocal health and changes in their work structure and organization.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil. clsx7@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Carla Lima de
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Fernando Martins
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Tânia Maria de
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Eduardo José Farias Borges Dos
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Verônica Maria Cadena
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Lauro Antonio
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Porto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014827:Vocal Cords; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult