Self-Reported Acute and Chronic Voice Disorders in Teachers.
The present study aimed to identify factors associated with self-reported acute and chronic voice disorders among municipal elementary school teachers in the city of Montes Claros, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.


METHODS
The dependent variable, self-reported dysphonia, was determined via a single question, "Have you noticed changes in your voice quality?" and if so, a follow-up question queried the duration of this change, acute or chronic. The independent variables were dichotomized and divided into five categories: sociodemographic and economic data; lifestyle; organizational and environmental data; health-disease processes; and voice. Analyses of associated factors were performed via a hierarchical multiple logistic regression model.


RESULTS
The present study included 226 teachers, of whom 38.9% reported no voice disorders, 35.4% reported an acute disorder, and 25.7% reported a chronic disorder. Excessive voice use daily, consuming more than one alcoholic drink per time, and seeking medical treatment because of voice disorders were associated factors for acute and chronic voice disorders. Consuming up to three glasses of water per day was associated with acute voice disorders. Among teachers who reported chronic voice disorders, teaching for over 15 years and the perception of disturbing or unbearable noise outside the school were both associated factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Identification of organizational, environmental, and predisposing risk factors for voice disorders is critical, and furthermore, a vocal health promotion program may address these issues.
Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UNIMONTES, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: luiza.rossi@unimontes.br.
Luiza Augusta Rosa
LA
Rossi-Barbosa
Fonoaudióloga Clínica, Prefeitura Municipal de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Mirna Rossi
MR
Barbosa
Acadêmica de Medicina da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UNIMONTES, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Renata Martins
RM
Morais
Acadêmica de Medicina da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UNIMONTES, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Kamilla Ferreira
KF
de Sousa
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde-PPGCS, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UNIMONTES, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Marise Fagundes
MF
Silveira
Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais-UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Ana Cristina Côrtes
AC
Gama
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde-PPGCS, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UNIMONTES, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Antônio Prates
AP
Caldeira
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016272:Occupational Health; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D000070777:School Teachers; D057566:Self Report; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014833:Voice Quality; D055815:Young Adult
Dysphonia; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Voice; Voice disorders